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Home , Big Casino, Bobby Bland, Bobby Marchan, Carl Weathersby, Cliff Gallup, David McAlmont

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Issue No. 34

October 2003 Every bomber built is a theft from the poor

Line’, which starred – A Gregory Peck. Add to this a weekly U.S. television show (four Personal Tribute episodes even made it by Steve Howarth to the U.K. on a pilot scheme), a film with Kirk I first saw Johnny Cash in 1968 at the Manchester Douglas (A Gunfight) Odeon along with my brother Tony. Being a young and the excellent ‘J.C. rocker, I was there primarily to see The Man, His World, His but, by the end of , I was in no Music’ doing the rounds doubt who the star of the show was. I was only at the cinemas, cameos familiar with a handful of Johnny’s so was in ’Columbo’ and ‘Little in the enviable position of hearing most of the House On The Prairie’ material for the first time. Songs of rivers, trains, (remember him singing prisons, love death and hard times in rural ‘Black Jack Davy’?); Arkansas, all driven along by the Tennessee we’d never seen or Three and this charismatic singing story teller in heard so much of the the black frock coat with a delivery that grabbed man in black. this listener and never let go. Fortunately, the Cash back catalogue was still easy to obtain in the late ‘60s. Any decent record shop might stock a dozen CBS and the Sun stuff was still available from Dan Coffey; quite a strain on an apprentice’s wages!

I followed Johnny’s career ever since that first awakening. I caught him four times at various venues, Belle Vue ’71 being especially memorable. I bought the albums on release; as What a revue the Johnny Cash Show was at this with his old label mate Jerry Lee Lewis, you could time. Mother Maybelle and her girls reliving the usually rely on the purchase. Like all artists, there legacy of the ; the Statler Bros with were peaks and troughs but I’m glad he was able their faultless harmonies (“smokin’ cigarettes and to finish on a high. The collaborations with watching Captain Kangaroo”); Carl rockin’ and producer Rick Rubin have done the man proud boppin’ and probably sounding closer to the Sun and garnered a few Grammys along the way. sound than we in the U.K. had heard before. Whilst still strong enough to tour, Johnny even Newlyweds Johnny and June would sing up a won over the Glastonbury crowd – not bad for a storm on the likes of ‘Jackson’ and ‘Long Legged man nearing retirement age. Pickin’ Man’ before the whole ensemble would slay us with a call and response gospel Johnny Cash, I’m sad to see you go. Your music number – brilliant. has enriched my life. I’m thankful for the

memories of the live shows and I have a stack of Within the next couple of years Johnny Cash was albums to enjoy your legacy whenever the mood to become a massive force in popular music. The takes. ‘San Quentin’ /documentary and ‘Boy

Named Sue’ hit single made him a man very Thanks a lot. much in demand. Besides John’s commitment to

Columbia he managed a couple of soundtracks for ‘Little Fauss And Big Halsey’ and ‘I Walk The Steve Howarth

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Within a short while I went to work for a company called ‘Hi-Lo’, erecting scaffolding around a couple of cooling towers at West Ham power station. Dave remained with ‘S.G.B’ (or Scaffolding Great Britain to use their full title), working on the construction of an octagonal (dodecahedral?) office block opposite East Croydon railway station, known locally to this day as the ‘Threepenny Bit’ building (‘Fifty Pence’ to those under thirty – H). It was here that Dave met say his death, falling sixty feet and landing on his head. “HOLD THE THIRD PAGE!” The following year, Cash was back, embarking on 'Tales From The Woods' raises a glass and says another British tour, again hitting the Farewell to the great Johnny Cash who died on Walthamstow Granada, by which time his original th September 12 from complications to his lead guitarist, Luther, had died tragically in a fire a diabetes, aged 71. few months earlier. I remember Cash explaining this to a young fan who had yelled “Where is The period; the mid sixties. I knew of Johnny Luther!”. The rockin’ guitar man, Carl Perkins, had Cash; knew that in country circles he was a name now joined the Cash tour where he would remain to be reckoned with; knew that back in the mid to for several years. I recall being excited on seeing late fifties he had made some (ish) Perkins for only the second time, the first being records for . Equally I knew that he the famous ‘ & Carl Perkins’ tour a was a cult figure whose appeal spread way couple of years previously. outside of ’s natural habitat. Whenever the Man In Black toured I was normally Raised on Rock'n'Roll and the , country there to catch him on at least one London date music was still to make an impact on my throughout the many long years that followed. impressionable young self. I was a scaffolder st heading towards my 21 birthday, working with a Come 1994 the man appeared at Glastonbury, young guy around the same age as myself, Dave performing , to great acclaim, to a young and very Cooper, who I would soon discover was a new audience, no doubt a new lease of life massive Johnny Cash fan. Despite not being a afforded to him courtesy of his new label, country fan as such, at work he would continually American Recordings, produced by a man rave about Cash’s recent album ‘Bitter Tears’ normally associated with nu-metal and generally (Ballads Of The American Indian). I learnt the very contemporary acts. Rick Rubin. Veteran story behind ‘’ long before 'Tales From The Woods' contributor Shaky Lee I heard the . Wilkinson and I, clutching advance purchase tickets in our sweaty palms, made our way to the When Johnny was booked for his first British tour Shepherds Bush Empire that July. Upon arriving Dave was the first in the queue at the we discovered several dozen disappointed fans Walthamstow Granada. In the meantime I had milling around outside, desperately hoping bought the ‘Bitter Tears’ LP and thought it was someone would sell them a spare ticket. brilliant. By the time I was to join Dave at the ole Granada at Walthamstow I was well on the way to Once inside the venue the truth hit us between the being a convert. The tour included the Statler eyes; the place was packed to the rafters with a Brothers and the Carter family including Mother very much ‘grungy’ young crowd. What a sweet Maybelle and Cash was backed up on lead guitar pair of old grandpas we looked as we shuffled our by . On that tour Johnny included a way to the bar. It was common knowledge that Big few songs from ‘Bitter Tears’ along with the John had been a smash at Glastonbury but we aforementioned version of the Peter LaFarge had not expected this. Neither had the by now song ‘The Ballad Of Ira Hayes’. hundreds of frustrated fans hovering around outside. We were treated to his own compositions for the album, ‘Apache Tears’ and ‘Custer’. From that first Backed up by , which show I remember ‘I ’, ‘Folsom included W S Holland on drums, the man was Prison Blues’ and ‘Five Feet High And Rising’. dynamite. It is not too often you can say that the When I came out of the theatre that night I would last time you saw an act of Cash’s vintage was the be a Johnny Cash fan and would remain so for best. Shepherds Bush Empire 1994 was the best years ever after. Johnny Cash gig ever. No contest, folks.

3 When Johnny was 12 his brother Jack died in an Interspersing the very old, mostly Sun material horrific and tragic accident with a circular saw; this with the very new, from his then latest CD by all accounts intensified his already strong including the Nick Lowe penned ‘The Beast In religious convictions to the point of fervour. Me’. He opened with ‘’ and his second number from his Sun days, much to Graduating from high Shaky Lee’s joy, was ‘’. A few songs school in 1950 he was into the set an excited, near breathless, kid soon heading north to arrived late, held up no doubt by London’s work in a Pontiac car notoriously unreliable public transport system. factory in Michigan. It “How long has he been on? What have I missed?” certainly didn’t take him he asked both Lee and I. “Oh, about 15 minutes”, long to realise this was Shaky replied before adding, “He has done ‘Get not the life for him so he Rhythm’”. “Oh no,” the kid squealed, “That’s my enlisted in the United favourite”. States Air Force and was posted to Landsberg, Along the way we got a very rockabilly workout on West Germany. There he worked as a radio ‘Country Boy’, knockout versions of ‘Big River’ and intercept officer, eavesdropping on Soviet radio ‘Cry, Cry, Cry’. Duets with June including ‘It Ain’t traffic, meanwhile teaching himself guitar, trying Me Babe’. At one point sitting alone on stage with his hand at first attempts at songwriting, and soon just his acoustic guitar for accompaniment he found himself playing in his first band, a performing tracks from his latest CD and the country outfit called the Landsberg Barbarians. aforementioned ‘Beast In Me’. "We were terrible," he would recall in various As early as 1994 there was much speculation interviews, "but that Lowenbrau beer will make about the state of Johnny cash’s health I you feel great”. remember remarking to Shaky Lee as we left the venue, “If I was never able to see Johnny Cash Returning to the U.S. he married Vivian Liberto, again, what a gig to go out on!” Sadly, events whom he had met during his basic training in would prove this to be the case. But what a show Texas. Soon the newlyweds moved back south to to remember the man by, one of the greatest gigs Memphis; struggling to make a living as a of all time, without a doubt. household appliance salesman, he wanted and desperately needed more to survive. It would be his brother Roy who would help him up a couple of steps of the ladder by introducing him to local musicians the Tennessee Three - Luther Perkins, and A.W. "Red" Kernodle on .

Cash found himself working with them playing bars, church functions, parties etc., while Born Johnny Ray Cash in Kingsland, Arkansas on mounting a persistent campaign to persuade Sam th 26 February 1932, by the time he was three Phillips (TFTW obituary issue 33), the owner of years old the family moved to the Dyess Colony Sun Studios, to grant them an audition. This was on the Mississippi delta where his father worked finally granted in the spring of 1955. It was all too on a federal land reclamation scheme. He recalled much for the overawed Kernodle, who failed to in numerous interviews over the years how his turn up, which did nothing to stop the remaining parents, two brothers and two sisters spent the three delivering a sparse, vibrant rendition of a first night in a truck under a tarpaulin and how he song Cash had just written, ‘Hey Porter’. There remembered before going to sleep his mother can be little doubt it would prove to be equally as beating time on her Sears-Roebuck guitar whilst revolutionary as anything yet or about to be singing ‘What Would You Give In Exchange For recorded at Sun by Carl Perkins, , Your Soul?’ Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Lee Riley etc. Or by the bluesmen that had passed through its doors in Many years later he would relive the night the slightly earlier years, Howlin’ Wolf, and family had to be evacuated when the river so forth. overflowed through the words of the song ‘Five Feet High And Rising’. As a child he soaked up By the summer Johnny Cash and the Tennessee the sounds of the blues and country & western Two (as they were, by now, known) had their first from the Memphis radio stations as well as the hit with ‘Cry, Cry, Cry’, with ‘Hey Porter’ on the flip Friday and Saturday evenings broadcast live from side. Soon, what would be considered classic the in Nashville, Tennessee. recordings poured out of Cash; ‘Folsom Prison

4 Blues’, ‘’, ‘Big River’, ‘Get Rhythm’, bravery inasmuch as he was not afraid of being ‘Guess Things Happen That Way’ and ‘Home Of overshadowed by his guests who included some The Blues’ to name but a few. of the biggest names, not just from country music but from gospel, , soul, blues and Rock'n'Roll Johnny managed to get one album out on Sun as well as then very big contemporary names (‘Johnny Cash With His Hot And Guitar’) such as and Neil Young amongst before splitting for in 1958. His others. Cash struck up a rapport with Dylan which first album for that label, ‘The Fabulous Johnny led to them duetting on ‘Girl From The North Cash’ (1959), reached a chart entry of 19; a Country’, on Dylan's 1969 ‘Nashville Skyline’ number of successful singles followed including ‘I album. Got Stripes’, ‘Five Feet High And Rising’, ‘Don't Take Your Guns To Town’ and ‘The Ballad Of Career highlights continued with the ‘Johnny Cash Johnny Yuma’. In January 1960, he played the ’ album (1969) which spawned a first of his celebrated prison shows at San monster hit both sides of the Atlantic with ‘A Boy Quentin, where one of the inmates yelling him on, Named Sue’ and, in 1971, he recorded the album locked up on a burglary charge would, in not too that cemented his persona, ‘The Man In Black’. many years become a big country music star his name - Merle Haggard. As the sixties ended and the seventies gained pace he was the star of his own documentary The downside of his, by now, considerable fame movie, ‘The Man, His World, His Music’ and he was indeed the pressure and demands. Playing performed adequately in a few movies, most up to 300 concerts a year, he found himself notably with Kirk Douglas in ‘A Gunfight’ (1972), becoming increasingly dependent on TV movies such as ‘The Pride Of Jesse Hallam’ amphetamines, creating the obvious side effects (1980), ‘Murder In Coweta County’ (1983), ‘The of volatile and irrational behaviour. Baron And The Kid’ (1984), and ‘The Last Days Of Frank And Jesse’ (1986) also popping up in The early sixties saw huge success with the episodes of ‘Columbo’, single ‘’ and a string of concept albums long before such things were common When Columbia ended their 28-year relationship practice which included ‘’ (1960), with him, Cash took it badly but was rapidly picked ‘Blood, Sweat And Tears’ (1963), ‘Bitter Tears’ up by Mercury, recording a number of convincing (1964) and ‘True West’ (1965). albums including ‘Johnny Cash Is Coming To Town’ (1987), ‘Water From The Wells Of Home’ His problems with drugs landed him in trouble (1988) and the excellent ‘’ through some pretty bizarre incidents such as (1990). Also, during the 1980s, Cash teamed up driving a tractor into a lake behind his home in with , Waylon Jennings and Kris Hendersonville, Tennessee, and inadvertently Kristofferson to create the highly rated and starting a forest fire which cost him an $85,000 successful recording and touring outfit, ‘The fine. His pill-popping reached crisis level in 1965, Highwaymen’. when he was jailed for three days after being arrested in El Paso, Texas for smuggling amphetamines across the Mexican border.

Despite siring four daughters (including Rosanne who would become a respected singer/), his family life was breaking down and Vivian eventually divorced him in 1967. The following year (1968) he married June Carter (TFTW obituary issue 31), whom he had met many years prior and who had been touring with him as part of the Carter Family for some years. June had co-written cash’s big hit ‘Ring Of Fire’. With June at his side, both on and off stage, his life held much needed direction. His career literally sky rocketed. In 1988, Cash underwent double heart bypass

surgery and, the same year, the British Red Rhino His 1968 album, ‘Johnny Cash ’, label issued 'Til Things Are Brighter’, featuring was a huge success. In June 1969, The Johnny young contemporary acts covering his songs to Cash Show began on American television on raise money for Aids research, and by all ABC-TV. Based in Nashville, the programme ran accounts he was greatly touched by it. for 88 shows. In the opinion of the 'Tales From

The Woods' editorial board he showed great

5 1994 would see the release of a series of albums Memphis, he would meet another young boxer, produced by Rick Rubin for the American , who introduced him to his Recordings label that amounted to a complete younger brother, Johnny. Although their paths reappraisal of the legend of Johnny Cash, and crossed many times over the next several years, which found a ready new audience. Of course, his fate was yet to take a hand. appearance at Glastonbury boosted his profile with the young. The follow up release in 1996 Returning from National Service in 1951, he found Cash mixing traditional country tunes by joined Shelby Pollin’s Country band. Allegedly, the Jimmie Rodgers and the Louvin Brothers with outfit was used to back up blues legend Howlin' songs from Beck and Wolf on Radio KWEM which, Burlison claimed in Soundgarden. interviews, helped to create the fusion of sound and style heard in the Burnette brothers’ band. He The most recent album was 2002's ‘American IV: was by now working as an apprentice for the The Man Comes Around’ (reviewed in these Crown Electric Company in Memphis where he pages back in June) the title track of which is a would meet another young employee, the hillbilly personal favourite of the editorial board. Another cat to be, Elvis Presley. that comes pretty close in our estimation is ‘Hurt’, written by Trent Reznor of ‘Nine Inch Nails’ fame. I The paths of Burlison and the Burnettes were witnessed a video of this track in homage to Cash finally to cement when the three of them formed on television just days after he died. It is without The Rock'n'Roll Trio. By all accounts they were doubt the most haunting and poignant piece of the roughest, toughest outfit playing the roughest film I have ever seen, the man confronting his own and toughest bars and fights were commonplace, mortality sitting alone at a dinner table resembling Johnny’s ability to pull the chicks being the last supper whilst his wife, June Carter, (so it responsible for more than a few of these. must have been made just months before her death) looks on with an expression of both fear of Sun Records, for whatever and love. reason, chose to turn them down so, come May 1956, they drove all the way to New York in a battered old car taking on any menial job to support their survival. They won the Ted Mack Amateur Hour (which was screened nationwide) for three consecutive weeks and returned for the final on September 9th 1956, the same evening as Elvis Presley’s debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.

We here at the 'Tales From The Woods' editorial board believe that the series of albums he cut for the American Recordings label stands side by side with the best of his back catalogue. The Man In Black went out on a high; what more could anyone possibly ask for? Keith Woods Signed up to Coral Records, they recorded some tracks at the Pythian Temple in New York, where and the Comets recorded, before     sending them down to Nashville under the guidance of producer Owen Bradley. The result 'Tales From The Woods' raises a glass also to was, without doubt, some of the greatest , one time lead guitarist of the rockabilly ever recorded. Classic tracks such as Rock'n'Roll Trio, who died at ‘Honey Hush’, ‘The Train Kept A Rollin’, th Horn Lake, Mississippi on September 27 , aged ‘Lonesome Train (On A Lonesome Track)’, ‘Rock 74. Billy Boogie’ etc. poured from the trio.

Paul Burlison was born in Brownsville, Tennessee th Coral records changed ’s name to the on February 4 1929, although by the time he was Johnny Burnette Rock'n'Roll Trio, which incensed eight years old the family moved to Memphis. Dorsey. He quit before the trio was to appear in the film ‘Rock, Rock, Rock’. Johnny Black, brother The adolescent Burlison had two interests – of , Elvis Presley’s bass player, was boxing and music. As a contender for the drafted in as a replacement. welterweight title in 1948 in his hometown of

6 Hacker of Bicester, Oxfordshire. Apart from his kind words about the magazine (thank you Ben) he sent us a poem that he’d written many years before, during the mid sixties. Amazingly, Ben’s first and only attempt to place his emotions into verse came on a day out at Longleat with his family, whilst a testosterone fuelled youth, where a pretty young girl captured his imagination, left to wonder what may have been. Ben, by all accounts, has been pondering for a while whether to submit this to us, embarrassed by those Despite the quality of their recordings the records emotions of youth and dubious whether it would did not sell well at the time. These days of course be good enough. you would be lucky to get any change out of £1,000 for a mint copy of the U.K. release of the For one, Ben is certainly good enough. The only Rock'n'Roll Trio album (Johnny Burnette real poetry that has been published so far in Rock'n'Roll Trio). Many years later contemporary 'Tales From The Woods' has been Sails D’Rich’s rock musicians would praise the work of the trio, contributions. Mine? When written they were just and being particularly simple constructions through the insecurities and vocal. angst of youth. As I mentioned in the first edition of the Left Bank the final one I ever wrote “I hope Johnny Burnette went on to considerable success you find yourself soon” did find itself published in a in the early sixties, achieving a few pop hits before magazine for the psychoneurotic. So I got it right drowning in a fishing accident in 1964. Dorsey once. That is good enough for me. Thanks for Burnette achieved a certain amount of fame in the sending your poem in Ben. I hope you enjoy field of country music both as a singer and a seeing it in print after all these years. writer. He died in 1979 after suffering a massive heart attack. Burlison dropped out of music completely, preferring the security of his own ‘Longleat’ th construction business although during the nineties © Ben Hacker, 5 April 1966 and the early noughties, Burlison performed a We met as strangers number of European dates with Johnny’s son Side by side Rocky and released his only CD in 1997, ‘Train Upon a seat we sat Kept A Rollin’, with various guests on board And joked including Mavis Staples and members of The Band and Los Lobos. The superficial laugh That strangers make Keith Woods Unsure, yet hoping All the while For that intangible desire    

On stately lawns And mellow brick The Left Bank Of The Woods The sun descended Hi folks and welcome to another instalment of the Slow, yet quick Left bank, number four if my memory serves me To reassure us well (it does Keith – issues 26, 28 and 31 saw the Of the coming day first three forays to your sinister side – H). The inspiration for the Left Bank came out of the blue The silver gleamed – a phone call from old friend and On polished oak poet, adventurer and musician, Sails D’Rich (see And walls ablaze LB #1). I published a couple of his poems and With tapestry then published some of my own, found on And yet my gaze yellowing pages after spending years discarded. Was always there Like so many things in 'Tales From The Woods', it Upon your face just simply grew from an initial tiny seed (I well And on your hair remember issue one which was a whole one page long; happy days – H). Getting other folks to join The evening shadows in is, of course, the intention and all part of the Cast a cloud fun. Of doubt As we returned A few weeks before going to press a letter came To seek our rest from a relatively new TFTW subscriber, Ben But not as strangers

7 Shall we see The stately lawns Knobby was a big fishing fan, so to cheer him up And mellow bricks on the final day of the holiday I volunteered to go The spring like day fishing with him, borrowing one of Knobby’s rods. Which gave us both Terry didn’t want to go so he hung out back at the The key camp with some other kids we’d got to know during the course of the holiday. August 1959. I was seven weeks away from my 14th birthday. My first holiday away from my For the first hour maybe, everything was fine, parents; a whole week camping with my two Knobby showing me how to cast out and only mates; Terry who was a year older and Knobby once did I get the fishing line tangled up in was really grown up. He was even working, trees. Sadly, as one hour led to two, three hours not still at school like Tel and I. or even more, I was getting bored. Really bored. Knobby sat on the river bank and without a glance Knobby worked for the London Evening Standard placed his Pepsi Cola can at his side, his as a van boy in a vehicle, yellow in colour I think, concentration on the length of fishing line. I guess that used to speed through the streets, Knobby he didn’t hear me chuckling to myself as I grabbed jumping out at each newsstand or newsagent’s a handful of maggots from the Pyrex dish and shop, stack of newspapers held in his slipped them into the Cola can… and waited. After outstretched arms, before dumping them in front what seemed like an age, Knobby grabbed his of whoever’s job it was to sell them. can, lifted it to his mouth and, within seconds, spat out dozens of slimy, now very sugary, maggots. Fred Funnel Fun Camp at Hastings, East Sussex Me, I just rolled around the river bank in hysterical was the exotic location for my first independent giggles. Knobby didn’t get the joke at all. He holiday. Well folks, Fred Funnel’s camp was a bit packed his kit and stormed off back to the camp, short on the fun side of things; a brick building that packed his case and went home a day early. housed the toilets and showers, a clubhouse with its bright strip lighting accentuating the dreary It was the last night together for Dawn and I. décor, red plastic chairs and functional enamel Every second was sacred. Despite promises we tables, a bar, jukebox and a couple of pin tables. never saw each other again. I would love to say Unless my memory is playing tricks, that’s about that a certain record played nightly on the it, apart from a small stage where a rather prim clubhouse jukebox would forever remind me of and proper elderly lady would play old music hall those long gone innocent days but that would not songs, show tunes and pop tunes from a previous be true. This happened in between standing up in years on an organ, accompanied by an equally front of my class at school and singing ‘Rock ancient ole fellow on drums. Island Line’ and seeing Vincent and Cochran on television’s ‘Boy Meets Girl’ (see website for Dawn was 16, long dark brown hair that hung further details). Dawn’s father was a supervisor for down her back saucer shaped hazel eyes, those the Fenland Drainage System responsible for the above-the-knee, tight skirts that, for the period, maintenance of the dykes and suchlike. So when I were both revealing and daring although the am taking a late night bath tuned into BBC Radio colours were typically unimaginative; invariably 4’s shipping forecast I think of Dawn and that first black, blue or maroon maybe. Dawn was on holiday without my parents all those years ago. holiday with her parents. Roll forward the years to 1966 and the first poem I Walking into the clubhouse on maybe the second ever wrote, like Ben, reflecting upon the first evening, these almost 14-year-old eyes fell upon flowering of passion. that vision sitting around a table with her parents. Time passed, many a nervous flirtatious smile ‘First love, first tears’ passed between us, which much to my Keith Woods © 1966 astonishment were not directed at 16-year-old big

Knobby or sort of big 15-year-old Terry but me. I remember, can you? Wow! You should have seen my ego grow. At first the first touch Knobby was all for it but the more successful I awareness became as I finally plucked up the courage to thoughts, passions speak to Dawn the more his patronising non intensity of adolescence paternal enthusiasm was replaced by nothing forever remembered short of deep envy. So I got a date for the through the volumes of life following night, and the night after that Knobby got looking back the hump big time. Not surprisingly he felt totally upon the day deflated. He barely spoke to me throughout the portrait of youth following days.

8 that would never age of the singer and guitarist's modern soul-blues upon a sun that would never set output from the late nineties. Culled from his four words that pour outstanding albums on the Evidence label, DON'T ceaselessly LAY YOUR BLUES ON ME, LOOKING OUT MY frustrations, inarticulations WINDOW, RESTLESS FEELING, and COME TO of a young mind PAPA. rivers of life flowing under a weary bridge Carl Weathersby moved to East Chicago as a battle scars teenager and was influenced by early , have left their mark Stax, alongside such blues giants as so much laughter and . He served in Vietnam and on his tears return after various odd jobs, between 1979 and many times a sinking heart 1981 he was hired by Albert King as backing cannot erase rhythm guitarist. In 1982 Weathersby then joined those first love first tears the acclaimed Chicago outfit 's Sons Of Blues as a replacement for Carlos Johnson. He served with the group for fifteen years, during Keith Woods which time he steadily became the focal point. In 1995 he finally split to concentrate on a solo career, the fruits of which are on display here.

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SOUL KITCHEN

Hello soul mates and welcome to another hot and steaming kitchen. Carl Weathersby, as photographed by the author at Chicago in June 1987. CD OF THE MONTH CARL WEATHERSBY... The opening track bursts into action with Wille BEST OF.. Mitchell's evergreen 'Come To Papa (Mama)’, it's Evidence 26127 a real cooking soul jam, featuring the Memphis Come To Papa : Restless Feeling : Do You Call That A Horns who soar and attentively growl when Buddy : Don't Lay Your Blues On Me : Feels Like Rain : required, commands his Sweet Music : Your Love Is Everything : Wheel Of Hammond organ like the jaws of thunder, Fortune : Everything I Do : It's You That I Want : All Your Affection Is Gone : Stop Breakin' Down Blues : Memphis soul queen Ann Peebles is on second Somebody Help Me : My Baby : Hipshakin' Woman. vocals, all punctuated by sparky guitar solos from our man. This track sets the pace for a truly remarkable CD which is steeped in soul infected blues, with Weathersby's distinctive soul tinged voice mingling a greater broad spectrum diversity to the normal blues fayre. His soulful vocal style competes alongside his guitar axe work, both in his solo excursions and tasty fills, with a powerful mix of Weathersby originals and cover versions.

I'm not going to cherry pick standout tracks; apart from an awful Robert Johnson tribute, 'Stop Breakin' Down Blues', which is the only track not on any previous album, it's winners all the way. For those of you who have never experienced the Some of my highlights are, the mid tempo 'Don't excellent Carl Weathersby, this is as good a place Lay Your Blues On Me' a delightful throbbing as any to start. This CD provides a representation skippy rhythmic pulse, with back up and rhythm

9 section pacing Weathersby all the way, featuring Thelma Records was owned by Thelma Coleman some blistering notes from our man's fender. Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr's first wife. 'The Monkey' 'Restless Feeling' is a slow bluesy number with b/w the witty 'Welfare Cheese' achieved Weathersby's deep smooth vocals well into soul considerable air play, but sales remained trapped territory. 'Somebody Help Me' is the nearest we in Michigan. The release did bring his name to the get to the deeper side of soul, he anguishes about forefront and relative success around the Detroit the problems of drug addiction, with more area. After two further luckless releases on dynamic guitar soloing. Thelma, his next offering and most rewarding was on NPC records out of Pittsburgh, again written by 'Your Love Is Everything' is again on the soul side Davis, 'I Need Somebody'. This mid-tempo wailer of the fence, punctuated by more expressive made inroads to many regional R&B charts, but guitar solo excursions. 'All Your Affection Is Gone' simply refused to spread nationally. Laskey's final is a cracking mid pacer, he vocally drains the last product with Davies at the helm was on Detroit's drops of emotion from the song, over swirling Wild Deuce label 'Lucky To Be Loved By You'; organ, while his guitar easily strolls down blues alas this catchy item also failed to break out. alley. John Hiatt’s 'Feels Like Rain' is an easy paced subtle ballad. 'Do You Call That A Buddy', Reputably the releases on NPC and Deuce were his best friend is trying to steal his baby, aarh but recorded prior to his signing with Thelma, but not our man got wise and wants to poison the guy. released until later and were also issued by Thelma(?). Laskey returned to Thelma but his "Now if I had a thousand donuts, darn his soul, I soul material, although excellent, went nowhere. wouldn't even give that clown a donut hole", now He was next to be found with a best forgotten that's fighting talk. release on Music Now Label. In 1969 Laskey secured a deal with Westbound, and came under Evidence have assembled a wonderful selection, the experienced hand of Mike Hanks who which really is his best, so if you've missed out on produced his three Westbound cuts, with little the man so far this will fill the gap nicely. Very commercial feedback. recommended. Weathersby's diverse soul - blues is just a short step away from firmly establishing Nothing more was released by him for four years himself as a mainstream musician, and the until Stag records issued the Dennis Talley recognition he truly deserves. His live penned 'Remember Me Always' in 1973. It was performances are another thing, an incredible probably through this association with Talley in the experience, with a mixture of emotional Southern early seventies which enabled Laskey to record soulful vocals, fierce guitar playing, a tornado of his brilliant 'I'd Rather Leave On My Feet' for energy, leaving himself and the audience drained. Talley's own DT logo in 1980. This appears to be RATING (out of 5) 4½ Soulboys his final release.

 Laskey generally drifted away from the music scene; although he no longer records, he still THE NEAR COMPLETE EMANUEL LASKEY makes the occasional odd appearance around Little is known about Emanuel Laskey, but he is Detroit, including local soul festivals, and as late yet another obscure master of soul who enjoys an as 2002 he appeared alongside a host of Detroit immense following in the rare soul world, soul legends, J J Barnes, Sir Mack Rice etc. in a particularly on the Northern soul scene. Born in Detroit Legends Reunion Show. Also there is a Detroit, his recording career has spanned over brief glimpse of Laskey in the rather clumsy The fifteen years for various Detroit Northern Soul Story video, released labels. He made his first appearance around 2000. Laskey’s sole on record in 1963 on the Thelma contribution is, "I'm very pleased my label, with 'The Monkey' written and songs have always been a part of produced by Don Davis, who around the Northern soul scene. I've heard this time was beginning to cut his a lot about the Northern soul scene teeth in the music business, starting and um hopefully with Gods to make a name for himself as a blessing I'll be a part of it sooner or main line producer, he was very later". Why not a full interview? much involved in Laskey's early Anyway the guy is still around so recording career, before moving on maybe our friends at In The to greater success with the likes of Basement magazine, with their US the Dramatics, Darrell Banks, contacts can finally do Emanuel Johnnie Taylor and others. Laskey Laskey justice. went on to release a further seven 45s for Thelma. Emanuel Laskey has an engaging distinctive unique au lait vocal style,

10 think of Jimmy Ruffin, engaging lilting tenor, with recording artist and writer. A member of the hints of falsetto. A neglected soul great that original Satintones who, during the period 1959 to yearns to be showcased to a wider audience. 1961, were one of the first groups to record for Motown and Tamla labels. Leverett went on to DISCOGRAPHY have a fairly unsuccessful solo career. His few 1963 singles are rare and much sought after. He was Thelma 100 The Monkey/Welfare Cheese slightly more successful as a writer with the odd 1964 track recorded by The Dells and The Originals. Thelma 103 Lucky To Be Loved/Our World The Satintones were another ex Motown group to Thelma 101 Crazy/Welfare Cheese be resurrected by Ian Levine Motor City label in NPC 1003 I Need Someone/Tomorrow the nineties. The a side is a mid tempo lamenting wailer, one of 1969 his best, his sweet vocals float nicely along with Westbound 143 More Love (Where This Came the eery backing. The b side is pleasant, even for From)/A Letter From Vietnam the sixties, a dated sounding ballad. The B side is typical tale from a soldier longing for 1965 home. Superbly sorrowfully executed. Thelma 2282 I Need Somebody/Tomorrow Westbound 151 Never My Love/A Letter From Wild Deuce 1003 Lucky To Be Loved By You/Our Vietnam World 1973 Thelma 106 Don't Lead Me On Baby/What Did I Stag 1008 Remember Me Always/Part 2 Do Wrong 1980 The a side has a flush of the Motor City Tamla sound, powerful brass and precessions, with an airy femme chorus, oohs, ahhs, and chanting out the title, "don't lead me on". The tempo slows for the b side with Laskey doing his sub Bobby Bland style, with intruding brass puncturing every line of his raw strained vocal delivery.

DT 100 I'd Rather Leave On My Feet/ Full length version A mid tempo lilting discoish floater with a memorable melody, again some tremendous vocals from Laskey. He’s really fed up with the way his woman treats him. No matter how much he loves this girl, he wants out before he gets the chop. "You've got me working two jobs now, trying Thelma 108 I'm A Peace Loving Man/Sweet Lies to get us ahead. But then I let you keep me living Low keyed guitar, piano intro, then it bursts into on my knees honey, I'd rather be on my two feet action with a Northern funk shuffling dancer, with somewhere dead" some incredible acid like vocals, backed up by 1992 twirling brass and riffing elephant sax, with Candy Welfare Cheese (Shakin Fit CD harmonising back up singers, answering and compilation) echoing away in the background. Enough to cause talcum powder turmoil. B side is a pleasant NO BUNNY NEWS tasty soulful ditty. Thelma 110 I've Got To Run For My Life/You Original Philly Soul Tour Jazz Cafe 5/6/7 January Better Be Sure 2004. This has to be the tour that Bunny was A side showcases Laskey's terrific unmistakable rumoured to be part off, but alas no Bunny. The scorched vocals on this tale of woe, as he in featured line up is, BILLY PAUL, who's retired desperate dignity tries to make a break for it, to more times than I've had Hot X Buns. He always escape his nasty woman. Plenty of wails, and seems lost on stage, scratching his head, with this dripping with soul. where am I expression. JEAN CARNE, who was 1968 slow out of the starting blocks last time around. Music Now 2880 Just The Way (I Want Her To Finally legendary vocalist, keyboards, arranger Be)/Right On (Wit' It) and producer, DEXTER WANSEL. Wansel Both these sides were co-written by Charles collaborated on many projects with Bunny Sigler 'Chico' Leverett, another Detroit stalwart, whose as co-writer, and producer. An interesting start to name crops up on some good Detroit releases, as the new year Soulboy thinks.

11 A CD up for grabs if anyone cares to have a go at this question. What do Billy Paul and the Sex Pistols have in common?

SOUL/R&B released in the UK October 1965. Now this was a juicy month was it not. Bessie Banks Go Now/It Sounds Like My Baby Red Bird 106 Len Barry 1-2-3/Bulls Eye Brunswick 05942 The Marvelettes Danger Heartbreak Ahead/Your Cheating Chuck Berry It Wasn't Me/It' My Own Business Ways T Motown 535 Chess 8022 John Mayall I'm Your Witch Doctor/Telephone Blues Bobby Bland These Hands/Today Vocalion 9251 Immediate 012 Esther Phillips Let Me Know When It's Over/I Saw Me Atlantic 4048 Esther Phillips Chains/Feel Like I Wanna Cry Sue 395 Wilson Pickett My Heart Belongs To You/Let Me Be Your Boy MGM 1286 Ray Pollard Drifter/Let Him Go U Artists 1111 Arthur Prysock It's Too Late Baby Too Late/My Special Prayer CBS 201820 Sam The Sham Ring Dang Doo/Don't Try It MGM 1285 The Shangri-La's Right Now & Not Later/Train From Kansas City Red Bird 10 036 Jimmy Smith Organ Grinder's Swing/I'll Close My Eyes Bob & Earl Baby I'm Satisfied/Sissy Sue 393 Verve 531 Out Of Sight/Maybe The Last Time Sounds Incorporated I'm Coming Through/On The Brink Philips 1368 Columbia 7737 Solomon Burke Someone Is Watching/Dance Dance Dance Joe South I Want To Be Somebody/Deep Inside me Atlantic 4044 HMV 1474 The Cadets Baby Roo/Raining In My Heart Pye 15947 Lord Tanamo/Baba Brooks Mattie Rag/Part Two Gene Chandler Good Times/No One Can Love You 217 Stateside 458 Joe Tex I Want To Do Everything With You/Funny Cincinnati Kid/That's All I Am To You Bone Atlantic 4045 HMV 1484 T Bone Walker Party Girl/Here In The Dark Liberty 12018 The Crystals My Place/You Can't Tie A Girl Down Mary Wells Me Without You/I'm Sorry Stateside 463 U Artists 1110 Kim Weston Take Me In Your Arms/Don't Compare Me Bo Diddley Let The Kids Dance/Let Me Pass With Her T Motown 538 Chess 8021 Jimmy Witherspoon Love Me Right/Make My Heart Smile Lee Dorsey Work Work Work/Can You Hear Me Again Stateside 461 Stateside 465 High Heel Sneakers/Music Talk Jesse Fuller Runnin' Wild/The Monkey & The Engineer T Motown 532 Vocalion 2427 O V Wright You're Gonna Make Me Cry/Monkey Dog Dana Gillespie Thank You Boy/You're A Heartbreak Man Vocalion 9249 Pye 15962 Roy Head Treat Her Right/So Long My Love Vocalion 9248 The Impressions I Need You/Never Could You Be HMV 1472 The Jive Five I'm A Happy Man/Kiss Kiss Kiss U Artists 1106 Joe & Eddie Walkin' Down The Line/It Ain't Me Babe My top five of the month. This is very hard, so Vocalion 9250 many corkers released. The ones I played the most on buying at the time would have been. Gene Chandler, Roy Head, Solomon Burke (b side), O V Wright, Lee Dorsey. Chuck Berry, Bo... who's counting. Acquired later Ray Pollard is definitely the star pick. I mentioned before I have this thing about Gary Lewis....

Lou Johnson A Time To Love A Time To Cry I'm going now, except to say, Bunter how can any London 9994 JLL top twenty not include 'It'll Be Me' and 'Down Ben E King Cry No More/No Place To Hide Atlantic 4043 The Line'? Bye Bye The Kingsmen Annie Fanny/Something's Got A Hold On Me Pye 25322 Remember you're in safe Gary Lewis/Playboys Everybody Loves A Clown/Time Stands soul hands with...... Still Liberty 55818 Mary Love You Turned My Bitter Into Sweet/I'm In Your Hands King 1024 Barbara Lynn You Can't Buy My Love/That's What A SOULBOY Friend Will Do Immediate 011 Keep on keeping on.

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14 adjourned to the Hason Raja Indian restaurant in Doctor disappoints unlucky Southampton Row. We had the set meal which 13 at August 29 meet-up was good value – and no one argued about the cost of drinks this time. Thirteen anoraks attended the meet up at the Shakespeare’s Head on August 29th and what a As usual we toasted those who had recently sad bunch they were. The hoped for highlight departed this life, beginning with Kent Walton, the promised to be a re-run of my confrontation with mid-Atlantic star of Saturday afternoon wrestling bigot in chief Dr Dale who enraged and appalled commentary on ITV and Cool for Cats. Strangely everyone he met with his loony right wing views his obituary in The Times that day made no earlier in the year. mention of his involvement in producing soft porn movies. Our esteemed editor Keith Woods, who I notice has joined Tony Papard in giving up the Grecian We also debated who were the worst acts we had 2000 and bravely accepting that even his fancy ever seen live. Captain Major put the recent hats can’t hide the fact that his hair, what’s left of performance by Big Bopper Junior at Enfield close it, isn’t black any more, was clearly expecting to the top of his list. Twenty minutes of imitating sparks to fly and asked me to write this report. his more famous father – badly – which began just as most punters were about to leave for home did But despite my best efforts to get a rise out of the not impress. doctor, Keith’s fears (or hopes) did not materialise, as on this occasion he was on his The bad performance that I particularly remember best behaviour, smoking his disgusting pipe and was Heinz, who got loudly booed when he braying like a ruminating cow throughout the appeared on a Jerry Lee show at the Fairfield evening. Halls in Croydon in the early sixties. Heinz had a ‘sauce’ to appear at all, I thought, and got himself His most controversial comments were about into a bit of a ‘pickle’. Nor surprising that the ad obscure third division footballers of the , a agency later came up with the catchphrase topic which got Sutton United’s only fan, little Brain ‘Hasbeanz meanz Heinz’. (sic), quite animated. It also brought a snappy response from Mr Angry (not known for his love of Meanwhile the be-suited Tony Wilkinson aka The football) who told the Doctor that he was in a Penguin – looking even more like a smug Cheshire Cat than usual – was extending conversation and didn’t want to be interrupted. th invitations to his 60 bash in October. He has competition though, with the lugubrious Martyn “F*****’ football,” he thundered. “If they want to talk th about f*****’ football they should f*** off Harvey also planning his 60 and Mr Angry somewhere else.” Mr Angry was equally upset organising a do in early November. that so many people mistook his circular pack of CDs for a can of paint. “If they claim to have an What with Hemsby, Rhythm Riot and Utrecht interest in music then they ought to recognise a (none of which I am attending sadly) it looks like a f*****’ can of CDs when they f*****’ see it.” busy autumn for TFTW readers. Nick Cobban At the time Mr Angry was in the middle of a surreal discussion with Soulboy about the nature of space and infinity, the universe and everything.     Soulboy wanted to know – quite understandably I thought – what happens when you get to the edge of infinity. What’s on the other side, he asked? Even the normally erudite Mr Angry couldn’t JAZZ JUNCTION answer that one.

Talking of the obscure, Soulboy unveiled the September at Ronnie’s names of the soul legends that he is planning to write about in future issues of TFTW. There were Rachael Calladine has been a jazz singer since a lot of blank faces in response. I suggested her teens and has learnt a large number of the Bobby Sheen (of Dr Love fame – no not that songs that form the jazz singer’s repertoire. In one!). How about it Soulboy? between numbers she remarked how strange it was to have new ‘devotees’ to request her to sing After the usual copious amounts of drinks at the ‘ by Robbie Williams’. She went pub, Shaky Lee, and Tony Papard decided to stay on to give a nice version of ‘The Nearness of You on and eat there. This left the rest of us to go by Norah Jones’. somewhere a little more exotic than usual and we

15 Whilst the major record companies may and his band are always likely to be dotted become addicted to something as vapid with the best of British jazz. On this as the latest sliced bread in pursuit of evening we were able to enjoy splendid perpetual profit, those of us who believe solos from Alan Skidmore (tenor sax) and ourselves to be major models of Guy Barker (trumpet). Depping on bass discriminating taste may view such artistes’ music was Alex Dankworth and making up the rest of the to be avoided at all costs in order to maintain our band was Anthony Kerr (vibes) and Georgie’s two musical integrity. sons, Tristan and James Powell on guitar and drums respectively. After taking his first steps in jazz with Yusef Lateef and Donald Byrd in Detroit, drummer Louis Apart from the highly entertaining music, this was Hayes moved to New York in 1956. There he an evening for nostalgia freaks as Georgie (as I joined the Horace Silver Quintet and three years understand his custom is) gave a history of his later made the move which firmly established his early days in music. Starting with Point Of No reputation when he joined the band of Cannonball Return, he told us that the song was written by Adderley where he was to remain until 1965 Goffin and King, became a hit for Gene McDaniels before replacing Ed Thigpen in the Oscar in 1960 and was also recorded by Louis Jordan in Peterson Trio. During the years with Cannonball 1961 for Ray Charles’ Tangerine label. This was he not only recorded many albums under the the point in the show when he would normally ask leader’s name but he also recorded prolifically, the audience if anyone could let him have a copy, guesting on albums by most of the top artistes of as it is a difficult record to obtain. However, the day. recently a fan in Portugal had sent him a copy, which he eventually produced and waved at the The band he led at Ronnie’s was described as the audience. ‘Cannonball Legacy’. And , Vincent Herring (alto saxophone), Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), A smooth version of his number one hit Yeah Rick Germenson (piano) and David Williams Yeah gave him the opportunity to remind us the (bass) did not disappoint. On Dat Dere, Rick music was written by two members of the Mongo Germenson’s playing was worthy of its composer Santamaria Band and that subsequently Jon and throughout the intensity and Hendricks provided the words for the first vocal bravado of Jeremy Pelt’s trumpet was revelatory. version which was given at the 1963 Newport Jazz Behind them Louis Hayes drove the band along Festival by Lambert, Hendricks and Bavan (after with forceful swing. Annie Ross had left). He had bought a copy from a record shop on the corner of Deane Street and Being an accomplished musician is not only Old Compton Street where he had also bought the desirable as it provides working opportunities but LP Blues And The Abstract Truth by Oliver also because it provides variety. Glasgow born Nelson. Dave Newton is much sought after by jazz singers and he has also released a number of The next number, Preach ‘N’ Teach was the B- albums under his own name which can be side and was written by pianist Johnny Burch. pensive and atmospheric. However Ronnie Georgie reminisced about sharing bookings at Scott’s is a place of entertainment as well as a The Flamingo in March 1962 with the Johnny jazz club and Dave Newton’s trio (which included Burch Quartet which included Dick Heckstall- Matt Miles on bass and Steve Brown on drums) Smith, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce. Alexis played a set of swinging accessible jazz. Korner came along one night and ’stole’ them for Blues Incorporated. The choice of material exhibited a discerning taste with Misty Night (by one of jazz’s outstanding Jeannine was a number which composers, Tad Dameron) and Detour Ahead appeared on the album (written by Herb Ellis). Blues For Stephanie was Them Dirty Blues. This was introduced to him by the only blues in the set and I’m Getting Mike O’Neill who, like Georgie, was from Leigh in Sentimental Over You was an exemplar of Lancashire and they both used to play rock ‘n’ roll swinging jazz. piano in their home town in the early days. Mike went on to become Nero of Nero and The A regular headliner at the club Gladiators. And when Georgie was sacked by and booked on this occasion for Billy Fury, Mike put him up in his flat in Soho. a three week run would Playing Mike’s records was part of Georgie’s probably suggest Georgie musical education – ‘Mike was four years older Fame as worthy of inclusion in but forty hipper’. The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz; but he is not. He is, Other treats during the set were Cool Cat Blues however, a terrific entertainer (from his 1991 album of the same name) and

16 Flamingo All-nighter (from his forthcoming album parts, especially on Tommy McCook’s Anthem For/To A Band?) which was a real Supersonic. The dance floor gradually filled to the memory-jerker. sounds of Solomon (Derrick Harriot), Quiet Place (The Paragons), Rough Rider (Prince Buster), and Apart from being a stylish singer in the jazz/r ‘n’ b The Whip (The Ethiopians) on which Eddie Tan idiom, Georgie is a true fan who remains in awe of Tan interjected a vocal rap before returning to the his mentor and the man he describes as ‘one of infectious horn riff. The band also included a jazz’s finest lyricists’, Jon Hendricks. It is nice and couple of their own numbers, the best of which not surprising that he has his own fans from the was an instrumental called Skatalite Dish, which music world. Many may recall the Blossom deserved points for the title. Dearie tribute to ‘a sweet lovin’ real good Dave Carroll musician’. Georgie himself was unaware of the impression he had made when she met him on a     big band project with Harry South.

At this point I would ask if anyone could let me have a copy of the LP, as it is a difficult record to obtain. I am unaware that it has ever been released on CD so I shall just have to hope that there are some Portuguese residents amongst TFTW’s readers who can fulfil my dreams? But I doubt that I have Georgie’s appeal. Dave Carroll

REGGAE JUKE BLUES MAGAZINE P.O. Box 1654 IRREGULAR Yatton, Bristol BS49 4FD No 1 Station at the Rayners 20 England September 2003 Fax: 01934 832556

Club Ska’s autumn programme at the Rayners Editor: Cilla Huggins kicked off with a modern 2-tone band called No 1 Reviews: Alan Empson Station. What was special about it and made the Subscriptions: Richard Tapp evening worthwhile was the inclusion of Eddie Consulting Editors:John Broven/Mick Huggins Tan Tan on trumpet and Jah Bunny on drums.

Eddie Tan Tan was born Edward Thornton and is     one of ’s leading trumpet players. After playing alongside Don Drummond in the Roy Coulton Band, Eddie played with a number of bands in Europe before joining Georgie Fame in BEGINNINGS 1963, playing on a number of his hits. He later Recollections by Ralph Edwards made a significant impact on the scene by Part 5. "We kept on rockin' ... until." virtue of his achievements in the Aswad horn section. But he is probably best known for his With the new Rhythm Boys line-up consisting of trumpet solo on Desmond Decker’s 007. Keith, Bob and myself, all ex-Crestas, headed by Billy Winn, it was decided that we would all wear Jah Bunny (Donaldson) replaced Euton Jones in white for a prestigious booking at Shrewsbury the British reggae band, Matumbi, and later joined Music Hall. Those white slacks served me well for the Cimarons who were formed in 1967 and in the many years following my group days; secondly, in process became Britain’s first reggae band. He a gymnastic display team, and thirdly, as a also, allegedly, played drums on Simmer Down by member of South Shropshire Morris Men. and The Wailers. Also at The Music Hall on the night we played was The musicianship of the ‘second tone’ was worthy Barry Udy (pronounced Oodee), a lad so and unlike their forebears, they honoured the impressed by our version of Eddie Cochran's Jamaican tradition and did not play too fast. "Something Else", he bought himself a guitar. Material was mainly covers with some stirring horn Barry turned out to be a natural and very soon

17 showed us "old hands" of 3 years experience how stage like an egg-whisk!” to play "20 Flight Rock". He quickly formed a group of his own; we did consider uniting and held I digress; back to The Rhythm Boys. Billy had a "jam" session at his parent's apartment. Billy been looking forward with anticipation to his elder and Barry respected each other's musical abilities, brother, Roy, returning from his 2 years National but, their personalities didn't gel, so, we left things Service. Roy liked and his choice of as they were. music started to influence Billy who, being a versatile vocalist, wanted to do what we Meanwhile at home, my elder brother, Des, had considered 'square' stuff. We drew the line at The taken to borrowing my guitar lunchtimes and was King Brothers' "Mai Qui". So, we kept on rockin' ... becoming quite a competent lead guitarist. When until 'Old Blue Eyes' put the boot in. Well, that, he bought his own, he chose a Club 60 Brunette and Billy's courting started limiting his availability with a single cutaway. Sitting around at home I'd with the band. play rhythm for his lead picking; my favourite that we played was Marino Marini Quartet's "Armen's Bob enhanced The Deltas with his presence in Theme" (on the Durium label, you vinyl hunters - their line-up. Keith and I, together with my brother I'd like a copy!) Des and a drummer called Mal Davies, formed an instrumental group, which we dubbed The Des was buying almost any guitar instrumental Tornado Four. Keith and Des shared lead guitar 45rpm that came out; initially, (LPs), duties which was a little different at the time. We then stuff like The Wailers "Tall Cool One", The did have one vocal number; Eddie Cochran's Hunters "Golden Earrings", The Rockin' R's "The version of Ray Charles' "Hallelujah, I love her so". Beat", The Noblemen "Thunder Wagon", The Keith of the excruciating stutter sang it, except Dynatones "Steel Guitar Rag", Bert Weedon that, he didn't stutter when he sang. "Apache", The Outlaws "Swinging Low", Judd Proctor "Nola" and "Rio Grande", plus others. I Someone who sometimes booked us was an really loved Des' records and was sorry to see older guy, of small stature, at the factory where I them go when he got married! was apprenticed. We would play at dances in support of his Ken Bowers Band. Well, the band Des started his own group with Dave Craik on consisted of a drummer, whose name has vocals calling themselves The Tremolo’s, disappeared into the mists of time, playing mainly, presumably after the tremolo arm fitted on Duane (if not wholly), with brushes. On piano and Eddy's Gretsch guitar. clavoline, simultaneously, was heavily built Roy Purslow. Roy played the bass patterns with his left Dave 'Ozzie' Osliffe, who'd been the singer with hand on the Old Jo-anna and the melody with his our earlier efforts, joined a vocal harmony group. I right on the clavoline, which was a short electronic think they were called the D.Js at that stage but keyboard, with a weird echoey sound. I wonder if had gone through some name changes over the that's where Joe Meek got his inspiration? years. Their mainstay, since their inception prior to Completing the band (?) was diminutive Ken the advent of Rock’n’Roll, was the very popular, himself on guitar - on guitar, but not really playing husky voiced, George Silcock, now deceased. it. He didn't know any chords! Ken just flapped his Another group member was an ex-classmate of left hand open and closed over the strings halfway ours, Ray Bourne. Ray's younger brother, Dave, up the neck of the guitar. I don't think he became the singer with The Lincolns. I remember strummed with his right in case it made a noise. It Dave singing Brook Benton's "Hurtin' inside" was as unbelievable then as it is now. (flipside of "It's just a matter of time"), which was quite a hip and unusual choice of song. Anyway, we did this booking with them at the Sylvester Horne Institute building in Church I used to design and draw some of the posters for Stretton, Shropshire. (S.H. was the father of our bookings and persuaded the band to amend Kenneth Horne, comedial presenter and pivotal our name to 'Rhythm Boys Rock Unit' to give it a character of "Around the Horne" radio fame; just a harder visual edge on advertisements. I did the little trivia for the so afflicted). It didn't bode well same for Barry's group, 'The Deltas’; they later when none of the local teenagers would get up dropped the Rock Unit tag. and dance to The Ken Bowers Band. After a while they departed the podium and let us, The Tornado Bernard 'Lewy' Lewis, who had been with us for a Four, take over. The couples came onto the floor while in The Crestas, joined The Deltas as co-lead and when things were going well, Ken abruptly singer with Roger Francis. Barry referred to Roger called us off and his band on before the dancers as 'Moose' on account of his slightly larger than could leave the floor! normal nose! Lewy and Moose both did Elvis I don't know how long it was before The Tornado songs and I remember Barry recalling Moose Four eventually blew itself out and that was the doing his Elvis the Pelvis bit, "He went across the end of my beginnings. I kinda wish we had some

18 recordings of those early days to assess what we were really like, but then, I don't suppose it Did you ever see the episode of the Parkinson TV matters, we had fun. show which featured Stephane Grappelli and Yehudi Menuhin? As a classical violin virtuoso The Deltas continued longer than us, even (and a child prodigy on the instrument) Menuhin supporting , fresh with "Love me do", had all the technique and musicianship to play on the first of their three visits to Shrewsbury. Jazz – but none of the feeling! His attempts to improvise with Grappelli were embarrassing in the I didn't perform publicly for about four years extreme and proved the truth of the old Jazz following the demise of TT4, 'though I continued adage, “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that to play at home. In the meantime, I met, courted swing!” In contrast, Grappelli swung like mad on and married Hilda; it's our 39th wedding everything he did and I say this as one whose anniversary this year and music has been with us least favourite Jazz instrument is the violin. all of the way. We even met at a concert. That it is a commercialisation of R & B/Blues

I'll conclude with a verse I wrote for a song I used This was the standard line taken in Jazz histories to do in the ' 70s :- of the 1950s, when they deigned to mention Rock’n’Roll at all. It is perfectly true that Just how it would be we knew at the start Rock’n’Roll is based on R & B and the Blues (plus And all those young dreams never once fell apart lots of other things like Gospel, Boogie-woogie Yet somehow they appeared to slip at the seams etc) but the difference is the audience to which it Life has proved them to be dreams and not is addressed. R & B/Blues is sung and played by schemes. mature adults for adults, not adolescent boys/girls; Ralph Edwards it is about sentiment not sentimentality and no Blues singer I know would write a song like “Wake     Up Little Susie” or “Teenager in Love”.

FIVE POWERFUL MYTHS ABOUT The purists will always favour, say, Joe Turner’s version of “Shake, Rattle and Roll” over the Haley FIFTIES ROCK’N’ROLL version but they are in fact, completely different, (Actually, there are more than five but as I suffer as are the two versions of “Blue Suede Shoes” by from alliterationitis…) Elvis and Carl Perkins. Perkins’ original is pure (Should I have called it Five Forceful Fantasies then? - H) rockabilly and Elvis’s is pure Rock’n’Roll. by Neil Foster That it is easy to sing and play. Talking about Elvis – I agree with those writers who insist that he actually improved upon or The basis for this belief is that Rock’n’Roll surpassed the efforts of minor bluesmen like employs extremely simple and hackneyed chord Arthur Gunter, Arthur Big Boy Crudup and Junior progressions and repetitive riffs but anyone who Parker and I even prefer his version of “Lawdy has played in a Rock’n’Roll group knows that this Miss Clawdy” to the original. Price is only part of the story! Like the Blues, doesn’t convince me that he’s heartbroken ‘cos Rock’n’Roll is all about feeling and emotion and his baby don’t love him but Elvis does – he that’s the hard part of it! If it were easy to sing sounds totally devastated and suicidally and play, then Elvis, Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee, depressed! I also much prefer the Diamonds etc. would never have become version of “Little Darlin’” to that of the Gladiolas’ famous (and inimitable). original with its thin vocals and weak rhythm backing. There’s a book called Deep Blues and the author points out that although Delta Blues seems dead That the only reason people like it is pure simple (hundreds, if not thousands, of blues nostalgia or “living in the past”. songs use the same few chord progressions) legions of white players have tried in vain to As someone who was in at the start of Rock’n’Roll duplicate its effects, with only partial success. I and who bought records like “That’ll be the Day”, once listened to a British Rock’n’Roll outfit playing “Tutti Frutti” and “Be Bop A Lula” as they “Alabama Shake” and marvelled at how closely appeared, I am used to having this accusation they had copied it. Their version was note-perfect levelled at me but I deny it. Many times I have – and as dead as the dodo! They had copied been told, “You can’t live in the past”, by people everything except the things that made the original who then accuse me of living in the past! I tell recording so alive – the wonderful swing, verve them that I am living in the present and so is and rhythm. Rock’n’Roll! If I play a Rock’n’Roll record from the

19 ‘50s today and derive pleasure and excitement great, young British guitar-players were ten-a- from it, the pleasure and excitement is happening penny and the reason for that was Rock’n’Roll, now, this minute, not 45 years ago when the which had inspired them to take up the guitar. record was released. (The same argument could be made for any other music which still has its That it dominated the Top Twenty in the 1950s. devotees, whether it is , Music Hall songs, Punk Rock or Northern Soul.) Well, they were called “The Rocking Fifties”, weren’t they? I once went through the Top The general public seems to think that the same Twenty charts from 1955 to 1960 and calculated records from the 1950s are being endlessly what percentage of the records in there could be recycled, “”, “Long Tall called “Rock’n’Roll”. It was never more than Sally”, “C’mon Everybody”, “At the Hop” etc. and, 15/20 per cent. Ian Whitcomb’s book “After the since it is usually just the hits that the non- Ball” gives the Top Ten of the Rockin’ Fifties specialist radio stations play, can you blame (computed from how long each record stayed in them? We red-hot Rock’n’Roll fans know that Billboard’s Top Ten) and as he says, “Not a rocker although the million-selling greats are always amongst them!” Every one was a ballad from No. there, on a pinnacle, since they were the ones that 1 (“Mack the Knife”) by to No. 10 defined the style, added to the pile are hundreds (“Love Letters in the Sand”) by . of records which were not released in the ‘50s, or not released in the UK, or were not hits at the THE END time, or belonged to a musical category which, at the time, was unfashionable (rockabilly).    

It is an illusion, even, that all the major Rock’n’Roll artists were successful in the ‘50s – the great Chuck Berry had only one Top Twenty hit then (“Sweet Little Sixteen/Reelin’ and Rockin’”), Gene Vincent had only two in 1956 (“Be Bop A Lula”/”Bluejean Bop” and then nothing till 1960 Booking The Big Beat Since (“Pistol Packing Mama”) and the superb Johnny Johnny Burnette Was In Burnette Rock’n’Roll Trio only received recognition and appreciation from the fans many The Charts years later.

I think I have made it clear in other articles that I Paul Barrett do not look at the ‘50s through rose-coloured spectacles – I am very glad to have lived through them but I accept today’s conveniences and Rock'n'Roll Enterprises improvements as well – from the Internet to CDs, from DVD to Minidiscs. (So does every other (est. circa 1960) Rock’n’Roll fan I know.) For all pre-Beatles Rock'n'Roll, coast to That it lowered musical standards. coast and world wide. From the Jets to Crazy Cavan, the Jive On the contrary, it raised them! In 1956 my musical ignorance was so abysmal that I didn’t Romeros to Matchbox, Wee Willie know Fats Domino was black (till I saw the photo Harris to Darrel Higham. With Linda on the “Blues for Love” EP no. 2), had no idea Gail Lewis, Charlie Gracie, 'Big' Al what a chord was, nor did I know a thing about the Downing, Billy Lee Riley, Jack Scott, Blues, R& B or Jazz. Four years later I was very Ray Campi, Mac Curtis, the '56 Blue well-informed on early Jazz and had started to learn to play the tenor sax, which meant that I was Caps etc. etc. From Germany, the introduced to Lester Young (my favourite Jazz Lennerockers, Big Bad Shakin' and tenorman) and had gone to see Zoot Sims at the from Finland, King Drapes etc. Cavern (not only the Beatles played there – everybody did!) I could never have come to like One call, book 'em all. Jazz any other way but via Rock’n’Roll as none of my family or friends has any interest in it Tel: 02920 704279, Fax: 02920 709989 whatsoever. e-mail: [email protected]

In 1956, you couldn’t find a decent, young British guitar-player. Ten years later, good, sometimes

20

The Organ for the Swedish Rock'n'Roll Club

EDITORIAL BOARD: Bo Berglind, Thomas Boy, Claes-Håkan Olofsson, Erik Petersson & Tony Wilkinson EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Bo Berglind, Box 185, SE-432 24 Varberg, Sweden

Phone: Swedish code + 46 034067 5050 E-MAIL: [email protected]

   

21 You'll Wait For Me" which, if I'm not mistaken, Ray C.D. REVIEWS Charles cut for Atlantic in about 1958/59. I always preferred Cole's early trio work to the later hit Hard Rock Bunter, a.k.a. Brian Clark) with a look at recordings that brought him international stardom, and his contributions to this CD are uniformly good.

Luke Jones gets a fair slice of this shiny pie to himself, with 15 songs out of 27, the best for me being "Shufflin' Boogie" a rockin', swingin' cut, if a little brief; the slow blues "Ditch Diggin' Daddy"; the title track "Boogieology", and "Take The U Boogieology; The Atlas Records Story - Car" (as opposed to the "A" Train), a track that Various Artistes - Acrobat ACRCD 208 could become popular if exposed to Rhythm Rioters. On "Me Love" and " Blues" I

Got A Penny, Benny The King Cole Trio | Melancholy couldn't decide at first whether it was Joe Madeline/Fugue In C Major Oscar Moore and the 3 Alexander singing or Vic Reeves' "club" singer (re. Blazers | Jump The Boogie Luke Jones w. Joe "Shooting Stars"); after studying the booklet I Alexander's Highlanders | Black Man's Blues/If You found out that it was Mr. Alexander, whose singing Love Me Baby Red Mack and His Orchestra | F.S.T. frankly left me cold. (Fine, Sweet and Tasty) The King Cole Trio) | I Can't Make Up My Mind The 4 Vagabonds | What You Dave Penny's excellent liner notes inform us that Bet/Ditch Diggin' Daddy/Boogieology Luke Jones | Tell some fine country sounds emerged from Atlas as Me You'll Wait For Me Oscar Moore and the 3 well as the swing/blues sides that dominate both Blazers | Feeling Low Down Luke Jones | That's All the label's output and this CD; Red Murrell and his | Shufflin' Boogie/Graveyard Blues Luke Ozark Playboys weigh in with a pretty hot Jones | Maureen Johnny Moore's 3 Blazers | She's rendering of "Steel Guitar Rag" and there's an My Baby/Midnight Blues/Take The U Car/Say Hello To attempt at straight blues, with reasonable results, Miss Brown/Me Love Luke Jones | Nightfall Johnny from the legendary Merle Travis. So, an Moore's 3 Blazers | Worryin' Anyhow Blues/Why Do I entertaining look at one of the more obscure Get These Blues?/Disc Jockey Blues Luke Jones | independent labels that burst into life (albeit Steel Guitar Rag Red Murrell and his Ozark briefly) just after the Second World War. Must Playboys) say, though, that I prefer the second release in the series, which is ......

Queen Of Hits; The Macy's Recordings Story - Various Artistes - Acrobat ACRCD 228

Wintertime Blues/I Know That Chick Lester Williams | 3 Women Blues/I'm Young And Able Cab McMillan | Leaving You Baby Smokey Hogg | Bon Ton Roula Clarence Garlow | Harry's Blues Harry Choates | Tennessee/When A Man Gets The Blues Tommy Scott | You Gotta Go Smokey Hogg | I Love You Baby/High Class Woman Hubert Robison | Boogie Mood/Blues As You Like It Clarence Garlow | I’m So Acrobat unveil a new series of CDs that feature Glad I Could Jump And Shout/Hey Jack Lester lesser-known independent record labels of the Williams | Humble Road Boogie Curly Rash | Boogie '40s and '50s and this first release trains the Woogie Blues Art Gunn | Let's Call It Quits Barney spotlight on Atlas, a California-based company Vordeman | Ramblin' Man Bill Grady | Boogie The who were in business from 1944 to about 1947- Joint/Old Woman Boogie Hubert Robison | Jumpin' 48. During its short lifespan it issued a number of For Joy Clarence Garlow | Bad Luck And interesting sides, 27 of which are heard (largely Trouble/Room And Board Boogie Hubert Robison | from 78 r.p.m. copies) on this collection. Texas Town/Dowling Street Hop Lester Williams

Its proprietor, Robert Scherman, was instrumental A feast of blues, boogie and country awaits you on in getting onto record Nat Cole, Merle Travis, this terrific overview of the Houston-based Macy's Johnny Moore's 3 Blazers, Charles Brown, and label, courtesy of those nice folks at Acrobat. Frankie Laine; the future "Mr. Rhythm" is heard on Husband-and-wife Charles D. Henry and Macy "Melancholy Madeline", and "Maureen", in his Lela Henry founded the label in 1949, and the first recording debut, and Charles Brown kicks off his R&B releases by Clarence Garlow and Lester recording career with the 3 Blazers with "Tell Me Williams were decent-sized sellers. We hear

22 some of Garlow's earliest recordings here, more. Greger Andersson and the band who make including "Bon Ton Roula" which hit b-i-g in up Blue Weather hail from Sweden and although Louisiana, all are first class. I've not managed to catch them live so far (that will however be remedied at the upcoming Rhythm Riot) I'm familiar with an excellent album released on Tail records in 2000 entitled "The Wig Flipper", so should you be too, they are great. Mike's been a fan since the late '90s and in his brief note within this wonderfully packaged CD (digipak form) he states that work on this album commenced at the end of 2001.

Lester Williams, who later recorded for Specialty, Duke and Imperial, is heard on his, and the label's, first major hit, the slow "Wintertime Blues", and there's some tasty boogie in the form of "I Know That Chick", "I'm So Glad I Could Jump and Shout" and the slower "Hey Jack". The eminent Dave Penny regards Cab McMillan and his Fadeaways as somewhat mysterious, little gen on them but I liked "I'm Young and Able", nice boogie So to the music; their version of Big "T" Tyler's this one. "King Kong" is quite remarkable, your jaw, dear reader, will fall to the ground and your tongue will More familiar to us all is Smokey Hogg, who hang out; Tyler's original reigns supreme, but only delivers some nice acoustic blues, and Macy's just. The sound engineering by Per Anghvist on were lucky indeed to have the legendary Cajun this and the rest of the CD deserves special artist Harry Choates on board; the man who gave mention; just listen to the sound on Wynonie us "Jole Blon" is heard to great advantage on Harris’ “All She Wants To Do Is Rock"; one "Harry's Blues". As with the Atlas volume, there's wonders if this was recorded at the King studio in a smattering of country sides that saw release on Cincinnati rather than Real Music studios, in the Macy's imprint, and Tommy Scott's two tracks Bromma, Sweden. It's noticeable that Mike tries, are pretty likeable, as are those by the delightfully- and generally succeeds, in replicating the singing named Curley Rash, Art Gunn, Bill Grady and styles of his idols (e.g. Roy Brown on "Cadillac Barney Vordeman, whose "Let's Call It Quits" Baby" and Percy Mayfield on "The Voice Within") bears a strong Hank Williams influence. and does a particularly good job on Billy Emerson's "If Lovin' Is Believing" (how about Hubert Robison is a name new to me, but the cuts "Shim Sham Shimmy" on the next one, Mike?). included on the CD by this excellent blues shouter are all fine as wine, in particular "Old Women Jimmy Liggins’ “Drunk" impresses mightily, as Boogie", which had ole Bun boppin' round the does the title track, originally recorded by the Nite floor. A big ten out of ten for this cracker, which Riders and issued, I think, on Apollo. The version again bears an informative booklet note courtesy of Leiber and Stoller's "Hot Dog" owes more to of MCP’s Dave Penny, well done Acrobat for Young Jessie than Elvis Presley, while Bad putting this little beauty on the market. Invest and Weather go it alone on a tasty T-Bone stroll. Five enjoy. of the set's songs emanate from Mike's pen, all strong compositions, particular favourites being Women and Cadillacs - Mike Sanchez with "Easy Boogie" and "You Gonna Win", the latter Knockout Greg and Blue Weather - Doopin 01 bearing a Chicago influence.

Cadillac Baby | All She Wants To Do Is Rock | The By the way, as an added bonus, there are nearly Voice Within | Hot Dog | You Gonna Win | Strollin' With 20 minutes of out-takes which, apart from Bones | Let This Lovin' Begin | Women and Cadillacs | alternative takes of "King Kong", and "Strollin' You Got Money | If Lovin' Is Believing | Gambling With Bones", include two great stabs at Richard Woman Blues | Poor Boy | Easy Boogie | Drunk | King Berry's classic rocker "Yama Yama Kong | I Need A Woman Pretty Mama" and a fine version of Lloyd Price/’ “Just Because". Congrats to Well, where do I start? I'll just begin by saying that all on a terrific CD which I unreservedly this new album by Mike Sanchez and Knockout recommend. Greg and Blue Weather is truly something special. “CD” Clark But I can't let it rest at that; let's clue you in a bit

23 Show Review In Brief Sid and Billy King at the Cecil Sharp House, Regents Park Rd. London NW1, Gordon Russell is a guitarist who played with Dr. 30/8/03 Feelgood a number of years ago, and he also plays a fair old suitcase; if the Melody Maker had

a poll for top suitcase player, Gordon would come The usually sedate Cecil Sharp House was top year in, year out. transformed for one night into a rockin', rollin'

Dallas honky-tonk thanks to the "Hellzapoppin' Sarah James is as attractive as she is talented; Club" and chiefly to tonight's headliners, Sid and not only does she sing like a bird (the voters of the brother Billy King, responsible for some rollicking "Blues In Britain" poll agree with me, as they put rockabilly classics originally issued on American Sarah at number one last year), but she plays Columbia between 1955-57. percussion quite well, plays harmonica and violin

very well, and her original compositions (with or The King brothers (no, Dr. Dale, they didn't do without Gordon's assistance) are pretty strong. "Standing On The Corner Watching All The Girls Go By") were backed with precision by Holland's Barnstompers, who performed a neat little set of their own just before the brothers' arrival, with the lead guitarist being particularly impressive on things like Freddie Hart's "Dig Boy Dig", Curtis Johnson's "Baby Baby", Don Woody's "Bird Dog", Hank Thompson's "A Six Pack To Go", Red Foley's "Tennessee Saturday Night", Johnny Cash's "", and "Hey Mr. Cottonpicker" co-written by the actor Robert Mitchum (I kid you not!)

Opening with a steady "Purr Kitty Purr", it was great to see Sid and Billy King among us again and I have to Together they make up "Two Timers", where, to confess that these quote from the flyer I have in front of me, "Lucinda fine Southern Williams meets the White Stripes". That's a pretty gentlemen have accurate assessment, though I notice that when it eluded me gig-wise comes to covers their choices are quite diverse. until now. They did On their most recent CD, the 2001-released not disappoint as they "Lucky Dip" (Credo CREDCD 2) there are ran through all the versions of Dylan's "Most Likely You Go Your Way songs that a lot us And I'll Go Mine", Canned Heat's "Future Blues”, first thrilled to back in the old skiffle standard "Mama Don't Allow", the mid-late '70's, Status Quo's "Gerdundula" and, perhaps most such as "I Like It", surprising of all, Slim Harpo's "Tee-Na-Nee-Na- "Put Something In Nu" and Chuck Jackson's "I Keep Forgettin’”. The Pot, Boy", "Let 'Er Roll", "When My Baby Left Also, Sarah's treatment of Brenda Holloway's Me", "Good Rockin' Baby", "Gonna Shake This "Every Little Bit Hurts" is first-rate. Shack Tonight', "I Got The Blues", and, of course, "Sag, Drag and Fall". Both sides of the one Also on Credo (CREDCD 1) is "Aubrey Rex and Columbia release that saw 78 r.p.m. issue over Other Stories", released in 1999, which contains here in '56, "Booger Red" and a cover of the Big mostly songs written by Gordon and Sarah. 'O's "Ooby Dooby" were superbly played, as was Particularly impressive were "Good Glasses" a Carl's "Blue Suede Shoes" and the brothers' nice R&B stomper with Gordon's magic suitcase adaptation of "Drinkin' Wine". getting a nice bass drum sound (in case you were wondering where the suitcase fits into the A brilliant night this one, with some great sounds equation), the bluesy "Forget I'm A Woman" which in between sets by Kalamazoo Colin and special bears a splendid vocal from Sarah, and the guest DJ Mark Lamarr, who tonight was more of a Howlin' Wolf-ish "Out Of My Head". Two likeable shrinking violet than a roaring lion. Good selection CD's worthy of your attention. of records, though. Boppin’ Brian Incidentally, Two Timers did two great sets at th Martyn's birthday party in Hastings on the 14 of

24 last month (at Martyn's request they did a great very best of "The Screaming End". "Walk, Don't Run"!) so if you fancy popping along to see them visit www.twotimers.org for gig info, 1. . This one has always been tops etc. Alternatively e-mail them at with me, and, for any would-be Vincent [email protected], telephone +44 1273 325860 or impersonator, it's the absolute litmus test. write to P.O. Box 63, Hove, Sussex. A new CD, (France's Erwin Travis did a fine job with the "The Big Casino" is due for release soon - check song at Hemsby back in May). It was recorded 'em out! at Capitol Tower in Hollywood in December Brief Bunter '57, and the backing by Johnny Meeks on lead guitar, Max Lipscomb on piano, Bobby Jones on bass, Dickie Harrell on drums, and Tommy A Tribute To Gene Facenda and on backing vocals. Perhaps not surprisingly, "Baby Blue" is also Vincent responsible for my favourite Rock’n’Roll (Incorporating "My Top 20") moment on celluloid, where it's featured in the 1958 feature, "Hot Rod Gang". So, what are I was just in my teens when I heard of the death of my other choices? Let's see now, now, now, Gene Vincent on the 11th of October 1971, aged now..... just 36. It was saddening news, as at the time I 2. RACE WITH THE DEVIL. The first time ever I was lapping up the copious amount of air-time heard this song, l felt the earth move in my Gene had then been enjoying on Radio One, hand; not only that, I couldn't understand a through appearances on shows hosted by Dave bloody word Gene was singing. That was in the Simmons, Johnnie Walker, and Johnny Moran, early '70s, and I have since managed to who at the time hosted one of the earliest "oldies" decipher most (but not all) of the lyrics. But radio shows in "All Our Yesterplays". I had heard who cares? It's a classic two-and-a-half and enjoyed his recent Kama Sutra albums, "If minute burst of controlled wildness that was Only You Could See Me Today" and "The Day the first song cut at Vincent's first session for The World Turned Blue", and, thanks to regular Capitol, on May 4th '56. What a way to trips to junk shops in the East Ham/Upton Park announce yourself Guitarist area, I managed to procure a number of Gene's announces his solo with a series of dazzling Capitol singles ("My Heart" was the first one I descending runs and just generally becomes bought). wonderful all over the place. A perfect statement of Rock’n’Roll. "Well I've led an evil life, so they say, but I'll outrun the Devil on Judgement Day". There y'are! 3. CRUISIN'. The descending guitar runs from Galloping Cliff I referred to above were pretty much his stock-in-trade, and for me there/are no greater guitar solo(s) in Rock’n’Roll history than Gallup's choruses here. He all but steals the show from his boss on this track, cut on the 17th October '56 and included on the majestic second album "Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps".

I never managed to see Gene live but I do 4. RED BLUEJEANS AND A PONYTAIL. My final remember an appearance on the "Today" show, choice from the'56 sessions and this piece of on Thames TV, where the affable host, Eamonn solid gold opens the aforementioned album. Andrews, introduced Gene singing his then new Love Be-Bop Harrell's screaming during Cliff’s single, "Boogaloo-A-Lula", sorry, "Be Bop A Lula", break. accompanied by the Wild Angels. I was reminded 5. ROLLIN' DANNY. New year, new sound and, of this performance when the BBC re-ran a "Late generally, new band. For me, 1957-58 was Night Line-Up" documentary, about ten years ago Gene's golden period; every track cut during now, which was a fly- on-the-wall account of a this time was of an exceptionally high British tour of November 1969.lt was a pretty sad standard, whether the tempo be slow or fast. picture; Gene was reduced at that point to playing When the original Caps broke up at the end of '56, the Fender Strat-toting Johnny Meeks was any venue, any venue that would accommodate drafted in, along with the superb bass guitarist him due to his often difficult nature. Bobby Jones, and , a young

backing singer whom Gene had recently Anyhow, following on from the Jerry Lee selection befriended; Peek and Harrell stayed on. This is from last month, I wanted to pick 20 raves from my favourite track from the "G.V. Rocks" across the years and present them to you, in the album, it's a tribute of sorts to the series of hope you'll agree with me that these represent the

25 "Annie" records as popularised by Hank 20 hit in the UK in '61 (it was cut in August '59). Ballard, and has playing rhythm Among the musicians involved we find Sandy guitar. Nelson, who as 1961 bid farewell would score 6. IN MY DREAMS a massive UK/US hit with "Let There Be 7. LOTTA LOVIN' Drums". 8. RIGHT NOW Three absolute beauties from 19. RAINBOW AT MIDNIGHT 1957, the first two cut in June, the last just 20. I HEARD THAT LONESOME WHISTLE before Christmas. As much as he was a BLOW. The last two choices of course date Rock'n'Roll King, Gene had an excellent voice from the "I'm Back and I'm Proud" album of for ballads, and, for me they come no greater 1969, on Dandelion. Gene became based in than "In My Dreams". There's a terrific urgency England during the first half of the '60s and on about "Right Now", and the quality of "Lotta returning to the States in '66 cut a tremendous Lovin"' as material has in the past been album for Challenge (issued over here on recognized by Don McLean and our very own London).Three years later the "Back And James Hunter. Proud” album appeared and it contained these 9. DANCE IN THE STREET two beauties. Throughout the '60's, though 10. GIT IT Gene retained the love of English and 11. PEACE OF MIND European audiences, off-stage his alcoholism 12. ROCKY ROAD BLUES. All the songs recorded and air of unpredictability meant there were at the sessions held in March 1958 are worthy few promoters willing to take a chance, of note, but these are quite simply the ones I particularly in the final three years of his life. An couldn't possibly live without. "A Gene Vincent extremely versatile singer was our Gene and I Record Date" is considered to be one of the always felt that he could have carved out a truly great albums in Rock’n’Roll history, and decent career in country, but it wasn't to be. deservedly so. Vincent's tender reading of the The '69 sessions reunited Gene with Johnny Spaniels’ “Peace Of Mind” and "Git It" Meeks, but nothing further happened. Shame. (occasionally covered by Chuck Daines) made Some excellent playing on these tracks, and it to the album, the remaining two appeared on indeed the whole album, from Red Rhodes, 45s. Everybody knows now that Eddie Cochran the late Skip Battin, Mars Bonfire, and the well-o-wipped "Git It" into life; thankfully no-one great drummer Jim Gordon, among others. realised that at the time, otherwise Ed perhaps would not have had the opportunity to cut "Summertime Blues", "C'Mon Everybody", and Last Word so on. "Dance In The Street" was featured to great effect in "Hot Rod Gang" and Bill A few TFTW's back Neil Foster dwelled on the Monroe's "Rocky Road Blues" became a assertion by many Rock’n’Roll fans that the music regularly featured song in Gene's stage act for has to be brash and fast in order to be exciting, some years. Oh, in the band alongside Meeks and he cited "Be Bop A and Jones were guitarist Grady Owen, pianist Lula" as a perfect Clifton Simmons (an extremely under-rated example where player),drummer Juvey Gomez and of course Rock’n’Roll doesn't Tommy 'n' Paul were still on hand. have to be played at 13. MY HEART 100 miles an hour to be 14. BEAUTIFUL BROWN EYES exciting. Well, I 15. SAY MAMA absolutely agree; "Lula" 16. I MIGHT HAVE KNOWN. On to October '58 has a timeless quality now for this sparkling quartet. Saxmen Plas about it, a sinuous Johnson and Jackie Kelso add brilliantly to the grace about it and, yes, sound created by Messrs. Owen, Simmons, I would say exciting. and the new drummer, Clyde Pennington. "I How, for instance, can Might Have Known" chugs along nicely, the one not fail to react in Burnette's "My Heart" is nostalgia of a sort for some way to Dickie me, as much as I adore Solomon Burke's Harrell's piercing slow, soulful reading of "Beautiful Brown Eyes", scream at the end of I seem to prefer Gene's gently swinging take. each verse? Incidentally, though I love and always As for "Say Mama”, what can you say? How will love the song that made Gene Vincent a about perfection? household name, there was more, so much more 17. SHE SHE LITTLE SHEILA to Gene, than "Be Bop A Lula". And the above 18. DARLENE. "Darlene", a song reckoned to be constitutes my Top 20. about the then Mrs. Vincent, is proof that Gene Gene Vincent 1935-1971. We’ll never forget. could turn out a good blues performance, and Be Bop A Bunter the rocking "She She Little Sheila" was a Top

26 of the outstanding songs from the post-Duke era were Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You 3B’s at B.B.’s Again’ (rollicking along as always with an irresistible swinging groove), St. Louis Jimmy’s ‘Goin’ Down Slow,’ ‘Ain’t No Sunshine When Bobby “Blue” Bland, his Orchestra and valet She’s Gone,’ ‘You’ve Got To Hurt Before You brought the chitlin’ circuit to New York in best nd Heal,’ and the Malaco classic ‘Members Only.’ southern style on Monday, September 22 when the entourage appeared at B.B. King’s Club on nd With a repertoire like that on tap, why look 42 Street. elsewhere? As “Blues Boy” points out, what a pity and a cryin’ shame that Albert King didn’t treat his back catalogue with similar respect during his lifetime.

So it was a privilege to be able to see Bobby “Blue” Bland, one of the few survivors of the grand R&B touring era, in such compelling form. The overall effect of this relishable evening was enhanced by a good-value catfish meal (in true chitlin’ circuit tradition) and a glass or three of Chianti wine (more like the Porretta tradition). For those of you who don’t know this fairly new supper club, it is located in the cleaned-up area just off Times Square that was once the notorious vice district. One of B.B.’s franchises, it has all the feel of an old-style haunt from the hey-day of R&B. The stage is draped in velvet curtains and runs parallel to the long bar with the dining tables [Visitors to New York may care to check out the in between. Sight and sound are excellent. listings at www.bbkingblues.com. In recent months, Chuck Berry, and B.B. King A club setting sees Bobby at his very best. Like have all appeared. So have many others of the vaudeville veterans, he exchanges repartee marginal appeal, even to the more eclectic fringe with specific targets throughout the show. In this of TFTW’s readership.] case, it was Mr & Mrs Robinson (I kid you not) on John Broven their wedding anniversary, and “Rayfield Jr.”. Downhome homilies abounded: ‘I saw you and     another man comin’ out of the Dew Drop Inn’; and ‘I never had enough of nothin’, I was straight out of the country.’ A decent number of his long-time THE EDDIE COCHRAN CONNECTION fan club had made the pilgrimage to Manhattan For the fans, by the fans from Harlem, the Bronx, Brooklyn and New Jersey. Thus, these asides were well received; and were responded to in kind. With an audience in excess of 200, it was a good atmosphere.

Now 73, Bobby sings well within himself and with fewer of those irritating snorts of yore (the vocal ones, that is). His 7-piece orchestra was a well- oiled machine with the four horns having an appealing bop jazz sensibility over the tightest of rhythm sections. The ghost of , the creator of the Bland sound, must have been smiling up there.

As ever, Bobby’s programme was brim full of his fabulous ’ standards: ‘That’s The Way Love Is,’ ‘,’ ‘Share Your Love UK Subscription £5.00 With Me,’ ‘I’ll Take Care Of You,’ ‘You’re The Cheques to W H BEARD at One,’ ‘,’ ‘Your Friends,’ ‘The 15 St Clements Court, Mardyke Park, Feeling Is Gone.’ Is it me, but the one number Purfleet, Essex RM19 1GL where he never emulates the original is ‘’ and it happened here again. Some

27 done. As a result, Bobby felt much more at ease Waxo Wilko’s Tit Bits in the studio and it shows in his performance.

With "" and "Mighty Mighty Interesting piece on Bobby Darin courtesy of Man" still in the can, there was no immediate need Dik de Heer. to come up with a new single. "Queen Of The (Part 3) Hop", from the Splish Splash session, still needed a B-side, but "You Never Called" or "All The Way SESSION OF JULY 16, 1958 Home", both from the January session, could also have served this purpose. These two tracks did - Date: Wednesday, July 16, 1958 not find a place on Bobby's first LP, the release of - Location: Atlantic Studios, 234 West 56th Street, which was now imminent (September). Unlike Manhattan, New York City Bobby's second album, "That's All", the first LP - Producer: Ahmet Ertegun was not recorded as an album, but it was a - Engineer: compilation of Bobby's first four Atco singles, - Songs recorded: Pity Miss Kitty (Woody Harris), complemented by four un-issued tracks from the Lost Love (Bobby Darin, ), Keep A Herb Abramson-produced sessions. In the fifties it Walkin' (Neil Sedaka, Howard Greenfield), I was quite customary to compile LPs that way. Want You With Me (Woody Harris) - Personnel: Bobby Darin, vocals, piano ; Al With "Splish Splash" doing so well, it was only Caiola, guitar ; Sal Salvador, guitar ; Wendell natural that Bobby would record more hard-driving Marshall, bass ; King Curtis, tenor sax ; Rock’n’Roll material. "Pity Miss Kitty" is one of Panama Francis, drums. Bobby's best rockers. The song came from the pen of Woody Harris, who had co-written "Queen An imaginary time machine takes us back 45 Of The Hop" with Bobby. Even though "Queen" years in time, to July 16, 1958. Things were now had not yet been released and there was no way really happening for Bobby. "Splish Splash" was of knowing that it would be another Top 10 hit, firmly nestled at number four in both the Billboard Harris felt that its formula (a lyric full of references and the Cash Box charts and had yet to reach its to current hits) was worth repeating. There are peak position (# 3). "Early In The Morning"/"Now references to the following songs in "Pity Miss We're One" had been legally reissued on Atco Kitty": 6121 just two days earlier. Under normal Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry) circumstances Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler Zorro (The Chordettes) would have preferred to wait with the release of a Kewpie Doll () new Bobby Darin single until "Splish Splash" had Return To Me () run its course, but the rush release of Buddy Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (Elvis Presley) Holly's covers of both "Early In The Morning" and Looking Back (Nat 'King' Cole) "Now We're One" on July 5 changed all this. For Your Precious Love (Jerry Butler and the Atlantic could not let those sneaky Decca people Impressions) run off with the hit version, of course. By crediting Skinny Minnie (Bill Haley) the single to "Bobby Darin and the Rinky Dinks" Jennie Lee (Jan and Arnie) instead of simply to Bobby Darin, Atlantic tried to Endless Sleep (Jody Reynolds) indicate that this was not the follow-up to "Splish (Don Gibson) Splash", but something in a category of its own. Naturally the Rinky Dinks were a non-existent All these songs were still in the Billboard Top 100 group, just like the Ding Dongs had been. when "Pity Miss Kitty" was recorded. The lyrics can be found at: This session was Bobby's first Atlantic recording http://www.bobbydarin.com/pitymisskitty.html. date after the "Splish Splash" session of April 10 I doubt if Woody Harris realized that "New Shoes" and the second Darin session to be produced by and "Down The Aisle" were also song titles (but Ahmet Ertegun. Bobby simply oozes confidence not hits). New York's greatest Rock’n’Roll on all tracks, something that was not yet quite so saxophonist, King Curtis, makes his first (but not apparent on the early Atco recordings that were his last) appearance on a Darin session here. He produced by Herb Abramson. Bobby really was also contracted to Atco at this time, as a solo blossomed under Ertegun. Unlike Herb artist. The instrumental break on "Pity Miss Kitty" Abramson, Ahmet recognized Bobby's unique is pure Rock’n’Roll delight. Curtis blows a wild talent, encouraged him to play piano on his own solo while Bobby is thumping away on the 88 recordings and arrange them as well (it is not keys. unlikely that some of or maybe all the four tracks from this session were arranged by Bobby The only slow song from this session is "Lost himself) and generally gave him more freedom to Love", for which Bobby changes to his "sweet" record whatever he wanted than Abramson had voice. Very basic, with minimal accompaniment,

28 but it gets to your heart very quickly. The tune has September 1960. Among those who bought the a slight calypso feel and I can easily imagine album was one Elvis Presley, who liked "I Want Harry Belafonte singing this song. It was chosen You With Me" well enough to record it himself, on as the B-side of "Queen Of The Hop" and March 12, 1961, in Nashville, for the LP released towards the end of September. The "Something For Everybody". The lyrics can be lyrics are at: found at: http://www.bobbydarin.net/lostlove.html. http://www.bobbydarin.com/iwantyouwithme.html "Lost Love" marks the end of the songwriting collaboration between Bobby and Don Kirshner, So there you have the harvest of this session: one which had started in early 1956, resulting in some slow B-side and three rockers that stayed in the twenty compositions. can for two years. When I first heard "Pity Miss Kitty" and "I Want You With Me" in 1961, I found it The Darin-Kirshner 1961 hit "Wait A Minute" by strange that Bobby would go back to this kind of the Coasters had already been recorded on material after "Mack the Knife", "Beyond the Sea" December 4, 1957. Instead of writing songs and "Clementine". Little did I know then that the himself, Don Kirshner now hired others to write songs had been recorded years before. The fact songs for him. In May he had started his own that the song titles on "Pity Miss Kitty" were all publishing company, Aldon Music, in partnership from 1958 should have given me a clue, but I was with Al Nevins. Among the first writers signed by just 16 then and didn’t have the knowledge that I Aldon were Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. have now. They were virtually unknown when Bobby recorded their song "Keep A Walkin'". Sedaka's "Pity Miss Kitty", "Keep A Walkin'" and "I Want first hit as a singer ("The Diary") was still five You With Me" are available (in crystal clear sound months away and as they had not yet quality) on the 1997 Ring of Stars CD, "Rare, scored any hits either. However, their luck was Rockin' and Unreleased". A less satisfying about to change. had already alternative is the German bootleg "Splish Splash" recorded their "Stupid Cupid" and this would enter (Backbiter 61040, 20 tracks, released in 1994), the charts at the end of July. which is a reissue of the Spanish LP "Rock 'n' Roll Con Bobby Darin" from 1978 (Belter 50.526). The "Keep A Walkin'" is not among their best work. only CD reissue of "Lost Love" is on the "As Long Sedaka's melody is lively enough, but Greenfield's As I'm Singing" 4 CD-set from Rhino. lyrics are just a set of clichés. Still, Bobby seems to be having the time of his life. The Great (To be continued) American Songbook or second-rate Rock’n’Roll material, Bobby sings it all with the same total commitment. His enthusiasm and more fine sax     work by the ever-reliable King Curtis save the record. Clocking in at one minute and fifty seconds, it is on the short side, but "Mighty Mighty MOBO AWARDS Man" (1:42) and "Pretty Betty" (1:43) are even shorter. In late 1962, when Bobby had already left Royal Albert Hall, September 25, 2003 Atco for Capitol, "Keep A Walkin'“ was released as the B-side of "I Found A New Baby" (Atco 6244). Never let it be said that we live in the past: 'Tales From The Woods' keeps abreast of contemporary "I Want You With Me" is of a different order. music too. And as a leading music journal, TFTW Where "Keep A Walkin'" is typically white naturally receives invitations from the sponsors of Rock’n’Roll, "I Want You With Me" has much all manner of top musical events. Indeed it would more of an R&B feel. The template for this Woody scarcely be worth holding many of them at all Harris composition must have been, consciously without TFTW in attendance. or not, "Hang Up My Shoes" by Chuck Willis (who died on the day "Splish Splash" It was therefore no surprise that yours truly was recorded). Same type of intro, same chord donned his dinner jacket and black tie and went changes. "Hang Up.." had also been recorded for along to the Music of Black Origin Awards for a Atlantic, in February, partly with the same champagne reception, dinner and a stalls seat as musicians (Curtis, Caiola), and was still in the Top a guest of sponsors Mastercard. MOBO has 30 on July 16. become one of the UK’s top music events over the last few years and although today’s black "I Want You With Me" was strong enough to be a music might not match up to the ‘50s R and B and single, but like "Pity Miss Kitty" and "Keep-A ‘60s soul that we know and love I felt sure that Walkin'" it was shelved for over two years, until it there would be something there that would take came out on the LP "For Teenagers Only" in my fancy.

29 say. And so there was: dozens of beautiful female black singers and models wearing very little and The Best Album award was presented by Saint shaking their booty for all they were worth. The Bob Geldof while other presenters during the champagne and wine (to quote Otis) was flowing, course of the evening included Ms Dynamite (with the dinner was fine and the eye candy was Three Non- Blondes from the TV show), certainly worth the trip. footballers David James and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Jade Jagger, Charlotte Church, Nell But the music? More problematical. There were McAndrew and Minnie Driver. highlights, with George Benson picking up a Lifetime Achievement Award and performing ‘Give Next up was the Best Producer award which went Me The Night’, Kool and the Gang winning the to the Neptunes, who hadn’t turned up. This was Outstanding Achievement Award and keeping the to become something of a theme as Justin funk alive with their smash ‘Celebration’. Seal, Timberlake, who won Best R and B act, and who has recently released a new album, brought , who won Best Video, weren’t some real soul into the proceedings too, although there either. Which raises an interesting point: the Albert Hall’s notoriously bad acoustics did him since when were they black? Hardly an inspiration no favours. to black UK acts to see top awards being won by US pop stars but there you go. As Mr Angry But as for the rest, there was little to cheer about. commented to me, perhaps there should be And the audience seemed decidedly MOWO Awards as well. But then no one would unenthusiastic all evening with many leaving early, attend. like football fans watching their team lose at home. Maybe that had something to do with the The first fireworks of the evening (literally) came fact that few UK acts won anything, but even with Mis-teeq, UK’s answer to Destiny’s Child, left early by all accounts. who performed amid flashing lights and explosions with simulated sex thrown in for good At least the presenters, Lil’ Kim and Blu Cantrell measure. I was looking forward to seeing them, were nice to watch, with their costumes changing having enjoyed their first live performance on the at regular intervals and becoming more and more tribute at the Royal Festival Hall a revealing. But as a presentation double act they while back, but their act was spoilt by the dreadful were in the same league – although not quite so rapper Redman. awful – as Mick Fleetwood and Sam Fox at the Brits a few years back. Their height differential Between acts (the gaps were achingly long) some only added to that impression. Having said that, I men appeared on stage with large brooms and rather like the sound of Lil’ Kim. Apparently she started sweeping up. For a moment I thought we demanded furry pink walls in her dressing room, were going to get some blues and a ‘Dust my Fen Shui friendly furniture, four bodyguards and broom’ tribute to . But it was not to mineral water chilled to exactly 10 degrees C. be. Instead we got the award for Best UK Act That’s what we like – stars who get their priorities which was shared by Big Brovaz and Panjabi MC right. (making a stand for Asian music). Big Brovas also won Best Newcomer and bored the pants off me Back to the show and after a lengthy delay, during with a noise filled performance later, enlivened to which the audience was introduced to some of the some extent by dancers dressed as schoolgirls. visiting celebs and the presenter (whose name I didn’t catch) held a worst weave competition There was some light relief next with a reggae (winner was a lady with pillar box red hair I think), performance from Wayne Wonder (who won Best the show got underway with Black Eyed Peas, Reggae act) who was accompanied on stage by three guys (bringing plus fours back as a fashion six sexy female dancers in short red leather item) and a girl who stomped around the stage dresses who quickly slipped into even more doing their hit ‘Where Is The Love’. Not my plate revealing red bikinis. At last a song with a tune! of grits at all and the crowd seemed indifferent too. Best Garage act was Lisa Maffia, who could also have won an award for most revealing dress, but The first three awards were all won by the US there were no awards for Beyonce and Terri rapper and former crack dealer 50 Cent and for a Walker, both of whom received four nominations. while it looked like he was the only nominated act to turn up. He won Best Hiphop act, Best Album By now the evening was building to its climax, yet for ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and Best Single for ‘In the audience in the Royal Albert Hall still seemed Da Club’ – and that was all in the first half hour. apathetic. With Kool and the Gang appearing live He must have been among the first to leave (to and Seal and George Benson still to come, the perform at Wembley Arena). Good riddance I atmosphere should have picked up, but it seemed

30 as though many in the audience had lost the will to live, never mind party.

Best World Music act was won by Ibrahim Ferrer, who appeared on video with unreadably small subtitles, Best Jazz act went to 24 year old saxophonist Soweto Kinch, Best Gospel Newcomer was won by Hutcheson Gayle with the Talent of the Future award going to J’Nay. Finally, after George Benson, had brought a bit of class to the proceedings, there was a Fashion Icon award for Lil’ Kim, which seemed a strange way to end a music awards show.

I joined the bus to the after show party at a club Due to an error on my part (H is Innocent!) the near London Bridge to see if I could get any chart printed in the September issue was actually scoops for TFTW, but when I got there I from 24th October 1959, so you got that one a remembered that I had to go to work next day and month early. Here is the one from 21st September I went home. 1957 that should have appeared.

Mastercard should be commended for sponsoring 1. Diana – Paul Anka (Columbia) contemporary black music (and for inviting 'Tales 2. Love Letters In The Sand – Pat Boone From The Woods' of course). It’s just a shame (London) that the music didn’t live up to the hype. 3. Last Train To San Fernando – Johnny Nick Cobban Duncan (Columbia) 4. Island In The Sun – Harry Belafonte (RCA)     5. Water Water/Handful Of Songs – Tommy Steele (Decca) SHAKY LEE’S 6. Wanderin’ Eyes – Charlie Gracie (London) 7. All Shook Up – Elvis Presley (HMV) OCTOBER OFFERING 8. With All My Heart – Petula Clark (Nixa) 9. Paralysed – Elvis Presley (HMV) Ten years ago this month saw some terrific shows 10. Tammy – Debbie Reynolds (Vogue/Coral) promoted by Steve Beggs at the 100 Club, with 11. Bye Bye Love – The Everly Brothers Larry Garner and Sherman Robertson appearing (London) on the first two Sundays. Even better were 12. Teddy Bear – Elvis Presley (RCA) successive Tuesday nights featuring Mississippi 13. Jenny Jenny – Little Richard (London) septuagenarian Honeyboy Edwards followed by 14. Gambling Man/Puttin’ On The Style - Lonnie the nattily dressed big-voiced Richard Berry. Donegan (Nixa) 15. Shiralee – Tommy Steele (Decca) 16. Fabulous – Charlie Gracie (Parlophone) 17. Build Your Love – Johnny Ray (Philips) 18. Short Fat Fannie – Larry Williams (London) 19. Little Darlin’ – The Diamonds (Mercury) 20. Stardust – Billy Ward (London)

Notable passings in October include, of course, the consummate leather clad rocker Gene Vincent and well respected bass player Bill Black. Another fine artist to meet an untimely demise was New Orleans based vocalist Smiley Lewis who died from stomach cancer on 7th October 1966.

I bought my first Smiley single in April 1970 – the Liberty coupling of ‘I Hear You Knocking’ from 1955 (with Huey ‘Piano’ Smith’s splendid piano intro) and 1953’s jumping ‘Playgirl’. These cuts were culled from the album ‘Shame, Shame, Shame’ but as a poor insurance clerk at the time I couldn’t afford a full LP! I then had to wait another eight years for the United Artists release ‘I Hear You Knocking’ to obtain an album containing

31 sixteen super Smiley selections. Nowadays it is oh autographs on Friday night at the Imperial so simple to overdose on Mr Lewis thanks to our Ballroom. For most of the evening Johnny Kidd friends at Bear Family who put out a 4-CD set – was at the ballroom discussing agency work and ‘Smiley Lewis: Shame Shame Shame’ ten years his future plans with ballroom manager Bob ago. Caine. Johnny, who made his mark with such records as ‘Shakin’ All Over’ and ‘I’ll Never Get Born Overton Amos Lemons Over You’ had been having a lean time of late but on 5th July 1913 (or 1920 recently had moved into cabaret and he and the depending on which Pirates were finding themselves inundated with reference book you believe) bookings. in rural Louisiana, he wound up in the Crescent City in the Said Mr. Caine ‘He said on Friday how pleased thirties and adopted the he was that he was well on the way back to the name Lewis from the white top. It staggered me when I heard on Saturday he family that he lodged with had been killed on his way home. He was a really and acquired the Smiley genuine person’. moniker due to his missing front teeth. His booming Just one year ago Johnny came as a judge to our voice was initially recorded Young Ones Ball but was taken ill on the night and in 1947 on a session for rushed to hospital. The following week he was DeLuxe Records, but as the fifties dawned he appearing with his group at the Imp and I spoke to signed with Imperial who released a succession of him. He said how grateful he singles commencing with ‘Tee Nah was to the people who helped Nah/Lowdown’, and ‘The Bells Are Ringing’ him when he was taken ill and (coupled with ‘Little Mae’) became an R&B hit in how much he liked the Imperial 1952. Ballroom. ‘ The atmosphere created by the youngsters here Despite some good performances of decent is unlike anywhere else. They material, mainly supplied by Dave Bartholomew, are great,’ he said. It was Lewis remained in the shadow of huge selling ironical therefore that he should label mate Fats Domino, with his only other R&B be killed on his way home from hit being ‘I Hear You Knocking’ backed by a social call on the ballroom he ‘Bumpity Bump’. Subsequent fine recordings such liked so much.” as ‘One Night’, ‘She Got Me Hook Line And Sinker’, ‘Down Yonder We Go Balling’ and ‘Rootin’ (For further information on the And Tootin’ failed to sell significantly, which led to life and times of Johnny Kidd him being dropped by the label. A few singles read Shakin’ All Over: The Birth were issued on smaller labels during the early Of British R&B by Keith Hunt) sixties until Lewis succumbed to his fatal Aye Jim Lad Wilkinson. condition.     Soon after Smiley Lewis expired one of our leading homegrown rockers tragically died in a car smash on the A58 three miles south of Bury, at WHAT A DULL WORLD IT the age of 26. Johnny Kidd’s first single ‘Please Don’t Touch’ nudged into Melody Maker’s top WOULD BE WITHOUT twenty in June 1959, but it was his fourth release that catapulted Kidd to fame. His own CHARACTERS LIKE THESE composition ‘Shakin’ All Over’, opening with one of Part 4 the most effective guitar riffs in history courtesy of session man Joe Moretti, hit No.2 in Melody During my days at CND there were loads of Maker on 6th August 1960. characters I met up with. In my local CND group in Welwyn Garden City were loads of middle-class The former skiffler was born Frederick Albert women. One, nicknamed Squib for some reason, Heath in Willesden, North London, and perished offered to drive me and some others home from a on 8th October 1966 after leaving the ‘Imp’ in meeting on the posh side of town. WGC in those Nelson, Lancashire. A journalist friend of mine, days was like a typical American town divided by Barry Grindrod who now lives in Hong Kong, the railroad tracks, or as a local said: just like East reported as follows in the following Friday’s edition and West Berlin. You might just as well have had of our local weekly newspaper the Nelson Leader: a Berlin Wall running along the railway line, as the “Johnny Kidd who was killed in a car crash in the residents of the posh West side NEVER crossed early hours of Saturday morning, signed his last over into the Eastern side with its industrial

32 estates and public housing schemes. Needless to in regularly she was 'bourgeois' and should get say I lived in a Development Corporation house herself a proper job. He then came over the cafe on the Eastern side of the tracks, and when Squib with this happily married woman and Helen, one asked me where I lived I mentioned the street and of our secretaries, and in a loud voice started she had never heard of it. 'Well, you go over the asking them how lesbians make love. railway bridge....' I began, and immediately she interrupted me: 'Oh over THAT side of the town, David refused to do any work, leaving it all to me, I've never been over there.' and instead embarked on several pet projects of his own. He got myself and two others from the To make matters worse it was a very foggy night, office to picket Woolworth's in Oxford Street with and as Squib drove along at 5 mph in the centre placards reading: 'Boycott Woolworth's - they of the road, squinting through the windscreen segregate their cafeterias'. A passing reporter trying to make out the kerb, cars were overtaking from the Daily Telegraph saw us and, thinking he us on the left. It was a nightmare, and Squib said: was on to a good story, asked David what it was 'Why are they doing this? They shouldn't overtake all about. The next day's paper had a large piece on the left!' I tried to explain it was because she on the front page, with the news that, although the was crawling along in the middle of the road, but demonstration was small, hundreds more were all in vain. A little German woman in the back seat ready to continue the picket on a rota system. 'But kept looking out the left-hand window and David, there were only 4 of us involved' I screaming: 'Zey are comink again, Skvib, zey are protested. 'Oh if he'd asked to see the others I'd comink again!' How I ever survived that journey I have taken them to an African club I go to, they'd don't know, nor one driven by our CND group all have said they were waiting their turn in the Secretary and later local Labour councillor, Mary. rota' said David airily. Oh yes, one thing I forgot to She was a respectable middle-class woman, but mention - this was at the height of segregation in as soon as she got behind the wheel of a car she the Southern States and the Woolworth's cafeteria became a demon! Saying: 'I love speed!' she in question was not in Oxford Street, London but roared off at about 50 mph going the wrong way in Birmingham, Alabama. down one-way streets, a menace to all on the roads. The Aldermaston Marches had been organized annually by CND for years, but true to form David At the CND head office, where I worked at the ordered loads of posters from the printers reading time, we also had a whole galaxy of characters that this year's Aldermaston March was organized coming in and out. A little timid-looking pacifist by Afro-Asian CND. This group didn't really exist - Quaker woman who was a volunteer but was also it consisted of David, and two other staff members a member of the Communist Party, a young girl he'd enrolled, a Kenyan and an Indian. A poster volunteer who claimed she 'was in love', and when went up in the main CND office and Peggy Duff, we asked her who the lucky man was she said it the CND Organizing Secretary, was furious when wasn't a man - she was in love with Communism! she saw it. 'What the Hell do you mean by this!' I know the feeling, I was myself in love with the she screamed, quite rightly as she personally had doctrine and all its symbols for a while, making my done much of the organizing for the March as bedroom a shrine to the creed complete with an usual. 'Oh,' said David airily, 'It does say "in atheistic altar draped in a Soviet flag, a statuette conjunction with CND"'. 'Where?' asked Peggy? It of Lenin, posters of Stalin, Lenin, etc. My dad was in microscopic letters which could hardly be visited while I was out, and my mother showed seen by the naked eye. One day David came in him my bedroom as she was so worried about the office with a grave look, saying to the Office me. He hit the roof! 'I look in my son's room and Manager he'd need time off to visit his dying what do I see on the walls? Murderers!' This was brother in Switzerland. A week or two later we got a bit rich coming from my dad since he a phone call from a friend of David's asking when permanently had a large picture of EOKA terrorist he could take over David's job. Jessie, the Office leader George Grivas on his mantelpiece. Much to Manager, said David's job wasn't available - he my mum's consternation, I insisted on putting a was visiting a dying relative. 'Oh no he isn't,' said Vote Communist poster in our window, though as David's friend, 'He's been working in East Africa I say she'd always voted Conservative. She came House for weeks, and he likes the job so he said I with me on my second visit to the USSR 'in case I could have his old one.' There was no dying decided to defect' so she could drag me back brother in Switzerland; David just wanted an home! excuse to come back to his old job if the new one didn't work out! Duncan, the Kenyan in our office, Soon after I first started at CND office a went to visit David in his new job. First day there Tanganyikan guy named Dadu, we called him he'd thrown the desk Bible into the wastepaper bin David, arrived to work there and caused and demanded a picture of the Queen be taken maximum disruption. He insulted our voluntary down. They didn't suffer him long. A few weeks workers, telling a middle-class woman who came later Duncan said David had a free airline ticket to

33 Peking, and would I like it? Only trouble was it was Sevenoaks CND had her to speak at a meeting, a one-way ticket! In the end David used it himself, NOT on a Wednesday obviously. A middle-class and was last heard of working for Radio Peking voluntary worker from Sevenoaks complained: broadcasting Maoist propaganda to Eastern 'That woman is old enough to know better. She Africa. came to our public meeting wearing a 'make love not war' badge! As if CND's image isn't bad A little old lady used to be on all the enough, without that!' demonstrations, selling the CND newspaper SANITY. She came to the office regularly to get So many characters, one could write a book - in new supplies, but one day she didn't look at all fact I have, perhaps it will be published one day. well. It turned out she'd been cleaning the grate in Just a few to finish off: Molly Coffin, CND's first her fireplace when a marble clock somehow fell Membership Secretary who arrived at the office off the mantelpiece and fractured her skull. Her and declared she could only work in an doctor had told her to stay in bed, but here she environment where everything was painted white. was in the office saying we must all join her in So Molly got to work with paint and paintbrush Trafalgar Square the next day to confront the neo- immediately, but couldn't be bothered to move the fascists who were holding a big rally there. We addressograph which produced the envelope tried to persuade her that it wasn't a good idea for labels, so she just painted the table around it. She a 70 year old lady with a fractured skull to 'have a also painted her half of Peggy Duff's office white - go' at the National Front, but she was determined. the brush marks just petered out halfway across A plucky old lady - on another occasion coming the room. But once everything in sight was back from a demo in Scotland she demanded to painted white, Molly soon got bored dealing with be dropped off in the middle of nowhere as she membership applications. This was around the was going hiking over the Pennines. We waved time of the 1966 football World Cup held at her goodbye as the diminutive figure with a Wembley Stadium, and a British Lion called World haversack went striding across the moors to the Cup Willie was the mascot. CND had adopted a distant mountain range wondering if we'd ever see version of this for our membership drive, so her again, but she turned up on the next demo. whenever Molly got bored she'd dress up in a She was last heard of in a nursing home selling hired lion costume and walk up and down Gray's SANITY to her fellow residents. Inn Road trying to recruit members. She knew I was mad about Rock’n’Roll, and said she had a One of the founders of the Aldermaston March few vintage Rock’n’Roll 78s at her home down in and CND also worked at Amnesty International for Cornwall. Sure enough, after her next trip home a time. She once came into our staff canteen she brought these valuable disks into the office. screaming at all the diners: 'Meat is Murder!' On a Only trouble was, after keeping them in perfect more recent occasion I was in a van with her condition for over 10 years she dropped the case travelling to a CND demo, and we spotted a dead she was carrying them in on the platform whilst pheasant in the road, relatively unsquashed. waiting for the train back to London. I salvaged Another woman in the van remarked: 'We should what I could - I still have 10 of these records, but have stopped and taken that dead pheasant home three of the most interesting - Jerry Lee's 'Great to eat'. 'No we shouldn't', barked Pat, 'Leave the Balls Of Fire', Little Richard's 'Long Tall Sally' and poor thing alone!' 'But it's already dead' protested Bill Haley's 'Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie' have cracks the other woman. 'And how would YOU like to be halfway across them. Others by Haley, Vincent, eaten if you dropped down dead?' boomed Pat. Johnny Otis, etc. are OK. She was politically correct long before the term came into general use. But George got one over Of course Rock’n’Roll is/was crammed full of on her when Pat came to his desk on AI characters. People like Screamin' Jay Hawkins Reception asking if the milkman had been. Quick with all his children, Screamin' Lord Sutch and his as a flash George corrected her: 'Pat, Monster Raving Loonies, Freddie 'Fingers' Lee milkPERSON if you don't mind!' She never with his crazy lyrics and stage antics, and not forgave him for that. forgetting good old Jerry Lee and his great one- liners - often referring to ex-wives, 13 year old Then there was Dr Rachel Pinney, who invented cousins, the IRS and anything else that happens something called Creative Listening. Ever since to come to mind. As he remarked once, 'just think the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki what a dull world this would be without a Jerry Lee she had refused to speak on Wednesdays. I ran Lewis in it!' Yes, and that also holds true for all the into her once at Hatfield station, not realizing who other characters mentioned in this article too. she was. It was a Wednesday, and I saw this strange middle-aged woman gesturing excitedly to Tony Papard my CND badge and then putting a finger up to her lips. Then she handed me her card saying she was Dr Pinney who never spoke on Wednesdays.

34 airing; what a difference from the rainy event last "DOWN ON THE FARM" year! rd 3 July 2003 One could draw a comparison to the New Orleans JazzFest, except the Fest has more stages and a by Ken Major few more attendees. However, when the occasional breeze wafted over the field, It was somewhat of a surprise when I recently nd particularly later in the afternoon, the climate was purchased Alan Clayson's 254-page 2 edition not that far removed. Most of the guys found book of "Only The Lonely," to find that the opening chairs, and we agreed that this was the life, deep paragraph is dedicated to the late Sunglasses blue sky, singeing heat, reasonable bands Ron! I sadly attended Ron's funeral where I met (depending on your taste), cold drinks with the up with Shaky Lee and Neil Foster, but it is always opportunity to dip into Mary's cooler box of with great pleasure that for the last 5 years or so I sandwiches when she was not looking, and the have been available to attend Ron’s sister Toni's chance to be able to chat comfortably. John's charity event at Malyon's Farm, Hullbridge, Essex. patter at the CD machine between bands was The DJ and anchorman at this annual bash is no seemingly effortless as usual, and with good less than the formidable John "Mr. Angry" humour and awareness of the occasion spurred Howard. on the charity collectors and donators.

On a blazing hot Sunday, complete with the last Presenting trophies for best bikes/classic cars etc two tapes of the yet to be heard Suzi Quatro was the Councillor of Rochford, one Richard show, I pointed the grill of my Astra mean Amner. Unfortunately for Richard he had earlier machine east and headed towards the flat received a visit from John aka "Mr Angry" who badlands of Highway 1-27, otherwise known as was in a venomous mood. John's delightful the Southend arterial. Playing the current Q tape residence is actually located on an unmade road first it was great to hear, tucked between the girlie and has for many years been the bane of the groups and teen sounds, Charlie Feathers’ Meteor Howard's life. In fact during a visit one year I had track "Get With It", flip side to "Tongue Tied Jill". I to resort to wearing waders which I naturally keep originally purchased this, as I guess many of you in the boot of my car, and I joke not! I understand did, from either Breathless Danny Coffey or John John launched into Richard and held him and Glyn Morris for not a lot of cash. I also guess personally responsible for his plight, with John's the record is probably now worth more than my gnashing of teeth and revolving red eyeballs, the car! What a great slab of rockabilly it is with poor man could only but agree to all John's Charlie so much in control. demands. Anyway come late afternoon the Councillor appeared of a happier disposition to do On arrival at the field I emptied my wallet into the his presentation duties, and then was awarded a charity bucket, weaved around the rows of fine photo frame entitled "Steel Balls" showing the Harleys and parked up closest to the stage. V.I.P. posing on a bike. Retrieving my 1930’s deckchair from the car rear I wandered over to the mixer desk where John John then began the raffle draw; top prizes positions his Dansette, wrestled with the wooden included a shiny red ¾ size new motorbike (what octopus, applied plenty of salad cream to my do I know about bikes?) donated from a local skinny legs and all, and wallowed in the incredible dealership, and a huge "Fools & Horses" one-arm burning heat of the midday sun. Eventually a few bandit that was retrieved from the end of familiar faces began to arrive - Shaky Lee, Brian Southend pier. Complementing these were literally Bunter, Bernard from Wales and his two dozens of other prizes. John also attempted to daughters, Tony Papard plus friend Martin from auction off a painting ('50s Disney characters), but Southend, and cousin Brenda and boyfriend John unfortunately gavelled the price down instead of from the Carshalton ex ServiceMan's Club which up much to the consternation of the artist, and the once or twice a week doubles up as the painting was withdrawn! "Southside Mafia" Rock’n’Roll club. The bands were Dragon, a metal band oddly but My liking of junk food is as negative as my dislike competently fronted by Lenny Kravitz, a black guy of alcohol; however a man has got to eat. So, I complete with dreads, Wild Coyotes, the Magnets, purchased a Corkie Jones plus onions and a cup a '60s revivalist band featuring Vic Collins on lead of tea and it was great! In fact I went back and from the Kursaal Flyers (much appreciated by had the same again. By this time the sun was Brenda), Cast Iron Alibi (CIA) and B17, a scorching and everybody could be seen to be rockabilly band. This band certainly set the straw clutching a drink of one sort or another. Being a alight with a repertoire of Horton, Presley, Holly bikers event, leather jackets were discarded by and Rock n'Trio rockers. the dozen and vintage tattoos began to get an Soon the Southside Mafia began jiving, Martin

35 began to bop and Tony and Lee were soon in his band, was in his usual rocking good form, stompin' around clutching their pints of bitter. and afterwards we hung around outside where the Martin then joined Brenda for a stroll, and with a tour bus was waiting and had the opportunity to slight two sheets to the wind bop improvisation chat to the stars of the show.” thus invented a new Essex dance we now call the "Strop". The world(s End Lane) famous Ian Wallis was prompted to put pen to paper in the following vein; Behind the open sided stage an equestrian and bovine audience had gathered and it was nice to Carl Perkins, Wanda Jackson, Sleepy see hoofs a tapping, udders a shaking and tails a LaBeef appeared in Southport during the wagging. By this time the front of stage audience last few days of September 1987 (not had surged forward, and with thunderous 1984). The whole tour was a complete applause B17 were required to give two encores, mess. Mervyn Conn gave out no which has to be a first at this event, and it only information. Carl became ill and the whole seemed proper they should finish with "Down On venture collapsed. Gigs for the Town & The Farm" which they didn’t. Country Club (4th Oct), Bridlington (3rd Oct) and Lincoln (2nd Oct) were cancelled. I Anyway the whole proceedings came to a close believe the only ones which went ahead as the fireball of a sun began to dip below the were at Southport and Portsmouth a few Giant Redwood hills, and Toni announced her days before. delight that the day had realised £1700, including a further £200 donated by the shiny red bike Ian also tells us he is compiling a register of all UK dealership, all funds given to children's charities. gigs played by American Rock'n'Rollers and the With promises of a return patronage next year we first instalment (1956-72) should be on the all trooped out of the exit, and I dropped off the bookshelves by now. Part Two (1973-90) is famous Bunter critic 10 minutes down the road already in production. No doubt a review will apiece in Wickford, which I will do again next year appear soon. Oh, and thanks for the encouraging if Brian wishes. compliments, Ian.

Guys, gals, pets and kiddies get to the next bash in 2004, it really is a great day out (starts 10am), Hi Keith. On reading the latest TFTW magazine I the atmosphere is relaxed, a choice of music for was fairly surprised to find the level of interest in all, and a chance to see Mr. Angry in action steam locomotives. Would you like me to do an performing as one of the country's greatest DJs, article on “Shed bunking in the ‘50s”? (check with and it is of course all in a good cause. I really Martin McClure for an explanation). Or maybe an hope some of the above-mentioned attendees will article on “Classic Film Noir”? Just got an qualify this report in the next issue of 'Tales From excellent biography on director Sam Fuller, The Woods'. recently published in the U.S. Ken Major Best, Shakin’ Paul Sandford. P.S. Tell the Rockin’ Mad Major that Molly Weir was in ‘Life With The Lyons’.     (I think he means “A Third

Face”. We’d be delighted to Letters to the Editor receive any and all contributions that you In the August issue, Shaky Lee wrote, in his deem our poor rag worthy August Amnesia, “Floral Hall, Southport. Possibly of, Mr Sandford. And the 1984? This very poorly publicized gig featured Mad Major sends his Carl Perkins, Wanda Jackson and Sleepy LaBeef. gratitude for clarifying the I only found out about it approximately one week Molly situation from his beforehand when the aforementioned Terry Burns meet up review – H) (or was it you Neil?) heard it advertised on his local radio station and rang me to let me know. On arrival no posters were visible, just a blackboard outside listing the artistes names, Dear Keith, thanks for the back issues. Now I hence the half-empty theatre. Huge human have a complete collection! Interesting in issue 33 jukebox Sleepy LaBeef put in an exhilarating to read about Porta the steam locomotive effort, and Wanda Jackson started promisingly but engineer. You cover stuff that’s not Rock'n'Roll then let the momentum slip with a religious but very interesting. That makes your magazine injection. Carl Perkins, with sons Greg and Stan varied and I really do like that. And trains are fun. (He’s never worked here then – H). Annelie, three

36 friends and I went to Abisko between Kiruna and the two best British bands in the country. Narvik to walk in the mountains and, of course, we From Little Mr Angry. went by train. I think one way is about 900 miles. (Keith, please ensure that you correct this We came home a week ago. I hope you’ll enjoy omission with alacrity – H) the latest issue of American Music Magazine – there’s a large amount in English Take care, Erik Petersson. Postcards to the Editor

2 Railway Cuttings First postcard is from East Cheam Calum, on a boat back Surrey from Greece. He writes, Dear Ed, “Hi Keith. Just finished a I have just seen a wonderful group called The month’s travelling round Drifters at Fairfield Halls, Croydon, celebrating 50 Italy and Greece - a sort of years in the great music business. They must be pilgrimage to ancient one of the longest surviving groups from the early places of natural beauty. I ended up, purely by ‘50s until now. It was a very good evening with chance, on a beach full of hatching turtle nests in good sounds. The group was on for over two the south of Greece – must have been drawn hours. During their first set they played all their there so that the last days were spent in hits starting with their first hit ‘Money Honey’ communication with these wise and ancient (1953) and came back in the second set with creatures (that’s how I feel about spending time more poppy hits up to their last, ‘You’re More with our Editor – H). It has been wonderful to Than A Number In My Little Red Book’. They also spend a whole month sleeping out under the stars performed a couple of Ben E King hits; ‘Stand By and walking in mountain terrains of novel flora and Me’ and ‘Spanish Harlem’. They sang well over fauna, stumbling over the few words of Greek and thirty songs on stage and I can think of many Italian I have learned. more that they could have done but ran out of Best wishes, Calum.” time after two encores. (Efharisto and Grazie Calum. Calum also added 56 men have passed through the Drifters’ ranks in he couldn’t wait to get back home to catch up on the last five decades including my favourite whom the latest issue of TFTW… and if he didn’t, he I have seen on his own, Ben E King; Clyde should have! – H) McPhatter, Bobby Hendricks, Rudy Lewis and, another very popular one, Johnny Moore. The Definitive Drifters CD is well worth getting – it has 58 great tracks on it and has sold very well, putting them back in the charts again.

Next through the letterbox was a card all the way from London. Dave Driver writes, “Dear Keith, other people’s health is like other people’s children – boring! Suffice to say heart surgery diverted my attention three years ago… but at least, contrary to rumour, they found one. But thanks for the mag – my interests have been diverted too but I haven’t thrown the baby out. In fact with Carl, Johnnie et al and other major talents all going it reminds me I’m not feeling too well myself. Who’s the mag aimed at? Sam Phillips, John Schlesinger, Tony Fitzpatrick and Your September issue was the biggest and best you lost me with Livio Porta but I do approve of so far with lots of photos and stories. I was sad to breadth as well as depth. Cheers.” hear of the death of Johnny Cash who died so As a postscript, Dave adds “Haven’t progressed to soon after Sam Phillips and his wife June Carter. e-mail and, Victor Meldrew-like, I detest mobile Good luck from a Mike Sanchez fan. phones.” P.S. Just one small complaint; why is it that Mike (We appreciated the card but wondered how you Sanchez and the James Hunter Band never found one featuring the Ed aged 7? – H) appear in your gigs list? In my opinion, these are

37 with a guitar accompanying Waxo Wilko’s Tit Bits traditional hymns and . Mr. Johnson often switched harmony parts and lead vocals with Mickie Most, a music producer who helped craft tenor Lonnie Smith Sr., and was the lead on "How the sound of the ' "British invasion", has Great Thou Art," "God Will Take Care of You," died. He was 64. Most died of cancer back in "Rock of Ages" and others. June at his home in north London. In their peak from the 1940s to the , the Born Michael Peter Hayes in Aldershot, England Harmonizing Four toured nationally and in Europe, in 1938, Most broke into Britain's fledgling cut albums for Decca, Vee-Jay, Rock’n’Roll scene in the 1950s as a member of International and other record companies, and the Most Brothers. The band failed to make it big, had several national television appearances. In but the name stuck. the Richmond area, the four starred in a long- running weekly radio show on WRNL and in later Moving to his wife's homeland of South Africa, he years continued to perform in local churches and topped the charts by covering U.S. hits with his venues into the 1990s. band The Playboys. But his biggest influence was as a producer who helped British acts like The Animals, Lulu and Donovan break into the . One of New Orleans' most colourful artists, died Dec. 5 2002 after a lengthy Among the hits he produced were The Animals' illness. Bobby Marchan, whose given name was "House of the Rising Sun", an international smash Oscar James Gibson, was 69. in 1964 ‘ "I'm Into Something Good" by Herman's Hermits and Donovan's "Sunshine Superman." Marchan's biggest hit, "There Is Something on "He had an incredible skill in picking songs ‘ he Your Mind," was a No. 1 rhythm and blues single could pick a song on the moon," said songwriter in 1960. As a member of Huey Smith & Clowns, Nicky Chinn, who worked with Most in the 1970s. he sang on the hits "Don't You Just Know It," "You His commercial pop instincts fit less well with the Don't Know Yockomo," and "Havin' A Good Time." hard-rocking Yardbirds; the "Little Games" album he recorded with them in 1967 was a flop. "Bobby was just a character -- he would do anything," said singer , who imitated Through the 1970s and ‘80s Most worked with Marchan's vocal style early in his own career and commercially, if not always critically, successful scored a hit with the Huey Smith song "Sea bands including The Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Smokie Cruise. I learned from him. He always looked like and Hot Chocolate. He also was a panellist on the he was having fun, like Fats Domino and Frogman TV talent show "New Faces," renowned for his Henry." withering assessment of hopefuls' talent. Marchan was born in Youngstown, Ohio, where as an adolescent he became fascinated by female impersonators who performed in local theatres. Thomas "Goat" Johnson of the Harmonizing He began appearing in drag as a comedian and Four has died. The 90-year old leader/tenor singer. In 1953, Marchan organized a troupe of passed away on Monday, July 21, in Richmond. female impersonators called "The Powder Box Revue" that was booked at New Orleans' Dew From the moment Thomas Johnson opened his Drop Inn for several weeks. Finding the city's mouth to sing with the Harmonizing Four, "he was relaxed temperament to his liking, not to mention getting right to you with that soul in his voice," said the ample opportunities to work as an entertainer, former member and guitarist Sterling Holloman. Marchan relocated, renting a room above the Dew Drop. The Harmonizing Four was formed in 1927 by four friends at the former Dunbar School. While some In 1954, Marchan became the master of published reports list him as replacing another ceremonies at Club Tijuana, where he was member in the early 1930s, many of the group's discovered by Aladdin Records' Eddie Mesner, biographies, including an entry in the All Music who was impressed by Marchan's sophisticated Guide, list Mr. Johnson as a founding member. blues style. He later recorded for Dot before beginning a long and successful association with While the quartet's lineup changed throughout the Ace Records. "I was working at the Club Tijuana years, Mr. Johnson, nicknamed "Goat" for his in 1956, when Huey Smith brought in (Ace goatee, became the constant, performing with the Records') Johnny Vincent," Marchan said in 1998. group for more than 60 years until it disbanded. "I was a singer, emcee and female impersonator. The quartet was renowned nationally for its (Vincent) thought I was a woman. "Johnny said

38 he liked my singing and wanted to record me. He first musicians to play at the startup of gave me $200 and I signed his contract. A couple Preservation Hall. of days later we got to 's (studio) and Johnny still thought I was a woman because I was dressed in drag. Huey and everybody else was cracking up because Johnny was treating me and talking to me like I was a woman. Finally, Motown Stars' Choreographer. Cholly Atkins, Huey told Johnny I was a man and he just about who joined Charles "Honi" Coles in probably the fell on the floor from a heart attack." most distinctively elegant tap-dance duo of the late 1940s through the mid-1960s, but later Marchan's first taste of success was in 1956 with achieved his greatest fame as a choreographer the release of "Chickee Wah-Wah," which was a for Motown's leading singing groups, has died. He regional hit. He and Smith joined forces in 1957 to was 89. form The Clowns. As Huey "Piano" Smith & Clowns, they recorded some of New Orleans' The consummate dancer, who developed what he most memorable rock and roll. "I was the group's called "vocal horeography" to enhance the boss," Marchan said. "When we first went on the performances of non-dancers, died Saturday in road, Huey went with us, but after a few months Las Vegas of pancreatic cancer. he stayed home and concentrated on writing and doing sessions. I hired (pianist) to "Cholly helped make the Supremes a class act," take his place because he sounded like Huey." Mary Wilson told the Washington Post in 1994. "He taught us that grace." Specifically, Atkins After Marchan left Ace and The Clowns, he went developed a way of reinforcing song lyrics with a back on the road as a female impersonator. stylish combination of steps and gestures that Eventually he contacted Fire Records' Bobby soon became as well known as the songs Robinson about recording the Big Jay McNeely themselves. "He got the Supremes to "Stop! (right song "There Is Something on Your Mind." hand up, strong) in the Name of Love!" Marchan's version hit No. 1 on the R&B charts. Marchan continued to cut R&B records for Fire, Florangela Davila wrote in the Seattle Times in but they didn't chart. In 1963, 1996. "He made those fingers naughty and those recommended him to Jim Stewart at Stax/Volt and hips sassy." "He was so underrated and Marchan began making the transition to overlooked for the contributions that he made to contemporary soul. He later cut the original our industry," Motown star Gladys Knight version of "Get Down With It," a hit for the British commented earlier this week. "There is not one glam-rockers in the 1970s. African American artist that he did not touch in some way." By the mid-1970s, Marchan was living in Pensacola, Fla., and barnstorming the South He was born Charles Atkinson on Sept. 30, 1913, again as a female impersonator-bandleader. In in Pratt City, Ala., and always said he learned to 1977, he returned to New Orleans as emcee at dance from his mother. She "used to go to the Prout's Club Alhambra. In the 1980s, Marchan dance halls and come back and teach me how to began appearing annually at the New Orleans dance," he told the New York Amsterdam News in Jazz & Heritage Festival and presenting gong 2001. "She used to have me dance for her shows at local clubs. A bout with cancer and the friends." After winning a Charleston dance contest removal of a kidney in the early 1990s cut down in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1923, he became a singing his performing, but he remained active in the waiter in upstate New York and then teamed up music business. He started Manicure Productions, with William Porter in a tap act called the Rhythm a company that scouted, promoted and booked Pals. The team dissolved in the late 1930s, and hip-hop acts, and was also a key figure in the Atkins took a number of different jobs, working in formation and success of . "The Hot Mikado" at the 1939 World's Fair and Marchan's last public appearance was at the 1999 then with dancer Dottie Saulters in gigs with a Essence Music Festival. number of major bands of the era.

In 1946, after a stint in the Army, he and Coles got together for a memorable partnership that included stints on Broadway in "Gentlemen Prefer Placide Adams, 73, Jazz Bassist. The New Blondes," performances in Las Vegas, guest Orleans bass player who played with stars like shots in forgettable movies, and showcases with Clyde McPhatter, Ruth Brown, B.B. King, Roy major jazz and swing bands, including those led Brown and Big Joe Turner, died March 29th. After by , Charlie Barnet, Count Basie, playing on countless R&B sessions he turned to and . traditional jazz in the sixties, becoming one of the

39 As the popularity of tap waned, Atkins began to Born April 16, 1929, in Fayetteville, Tennessee, take jobs staging the performances of popular Townsend was very active in his Minister father's vocal groups, beginning with the Cadillacs. In the church. He was an education major at Wilberforce process, a new style of pop performance was University and graduated from Arkansas State born. College. He taught briefly before joining the U.S. Marine Corps where he served in Korea with Atkins joined the staff of Motown Records in 1965 distinction, earning The National Defense Service and remained through 1971 - a period that found Medal, The Korean Service Medal with 3 Stars, him making indelible contributions to the careers and The United Nations Service Medal, and was of the Supremes, , Gladys Knight honourably discharged as a Corporal. When he & Pips, & Miracles, Aretha returned to the U.S., he got a job hosting a TV Franklin, and others. show in Los Angeles. While playing a song demo for Joe Zerga of , the record exec His 1944 marriage to Dorothy Lee ended in suggested that Townsend record the song "For divorce in 1962. The following year, he married Your Love" himself. The rest is history. Maye Harrison Anderson, and in 1975, the couple moved to Las Vegas. There Atkins continued to In addition to his professional accomplishments, stage nightclub acts. But over the years, he left for Townsend devoted his life to helping men and occasional projects, such as the 1988 Broadway women transition from alcohol rehabilitation to tap-revival musical "Black and Blue," for which he productive - and sober - living. Inspired by his won a Tony Award. He also accepted a 1993 own personal bout with alcoholism, and the many National Endowment for the Arts three-year artists who followed him through the rehabilitation fellowship to tour colleges and universities program, he wrote, produced, and performed teaching vocal choreography as a full-fledged some of his greatest work in the musical dance idiom. He taught dance in Las Vegas until production called "(Rehabilitation) Been There! February, when he was diagnosed with cancer. Done That!" His performance debuted in "He loved his work," said his wife, Maye. "That November 2001 at The Salvation Army Congress was his life." Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Ed Townsend was a living testimonial to the lyrics found in the play's title track "It's not he who falls that fails, but he Musician/Songwriter Sorrells Pickard has died of who falls and fails to rise again." Ed fell many a heart attack at 63 in Keystone Heights, Florida. times, but he always got back up. He wrote over 100 songs records by several country artists, and wrote 4 of the songs on Ringo With his personal resources and commitment, Ed Starr's 1970 album "Beaucoups Of Blues". Townsend created a non-profit organization, EBT New Life, Inc., to help struggling artists to be restored to rank and to privilege through Marshall Freeman has died at 82. He was the education. In addition to speaking around the last surviving member of the Oak Ridge Quartet, country, and most recently at the University of which later became known as the Oak Ridge Tennessee, Ed had a number of important Boys. projects on his plate that will continue. He had just completed a new recording that is sure to be

a timeless hit titled "Count Every Grain of Sand." Inspired by Ed over the years, his friend, Joe Legendary Producer, Singer Songwriter, Ed Johnson, established the Eagle Academy of Townsend, also known as "Big Papa," died Music in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, in Ed's name, suddenly on Wednesday, August 13th in Sun City, and as a way for the two of them to work together California. He was 74. His wife Janice was by his to bring more opportunities to others. Expanding side. into television and film was also a focus, and in his collaboration with actor/filmmaker Cylk Cozart The multi-platinum songwriter has been (CEO, CCC Entertainment), they've been working represented on the recording charts for nearly four on his life story, and on an upcoming feature film decades with such recognizable hits as Marvin about the life of Marvin Gaye, which are in pre- Gaye's "Let's Get It On" which was recently production. proclaimed as the #1 hit song of the 20th Century by Mega 100.

Claude "Juan" Johnson, an original member of His BMI award winning song library consists of the Genies who hit with "Who's That Knocking" over 200 titles that have been written for such and one half of the duo Don & Juan who scored a legends as Nat "King" Cole, Etta James, and national hit with "What's Your Name", died on many others. October 31, 2002. The 67-year old singer, who,

like Ballard, appeared in the recent PBS-TV "Doo

40 Wop" concert series of programs, was born like "Action Packed" and "I Make the Love." He November 24, 1934 and was living in the New had young girls squealing during his Sportatorium York area. Roland Trone, the original "Don" in the performances at the Big D Jamboree, and he held duo, died in 1982 at age 45. his own against fellow Big D acts like Elvis Presley.

Erving Charles, Jr., a master New Orleans Although soft-spoken in conversation, Mr. Dawson bassist who recorded and performed with many of was famous for his hellfire live performances in the Crescent City's greatest including Fats which he'd jump off the stage, run through the Domino, Dave Bartholomew, Irma Thomas, audience and play his guitar standing atop a table. Clarence "Frogman" Henry, and Chuck Carbo, He said he was inspired by watching his mom sing died on Wednesday, February 26, 2003, ironically in the church choir. "That's probably where I got a Domino's 75th birthday. lot of what I do when I come on the stage, because I take on this different persona. I've The 61-year old musician, who had suffered a always been kind of a shy person until I get in stroke last March and had been undergoing front of a crowd, and then something clicks and I physical therapy with the hope of returning to become this showman," he told The News in playing music, succumbed to a heart attack. 1996. "The stage really is his church," Dallas David Dennard said earlier this     year. "He's not doing it for the glory. He's doing it for the music. He's the real deal." Here's a nice piece from the Dallas news courtesy the redoubtable Tony Papard. Just as Mr. Dawson's career was about to take off in 1959, the New York-based Swan Records pulled its promotional support, and his first shot at the big time disappeared. But he refused to give Dallas singer Ronnie up. He recast himself as an R&B artist named Dawson dead at 64 Snake Monroe, signed briefly with Columbia Records, and then joined the local Western swing 10:59 PM CDT on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 pioneers the Light Crust Doughboys. In the '60s, By THOR CHRISTENSEN / The Dallas Morning he packed the Levee Club on Mockingbird Lane News with the Levee Singers, a folk act that glimpsed

national stardom by appearing on The Danny

Kaye Show and The Jimmy Dean Show. Dallas rock pioneer Ronnie Dawson, the "Blonde

Bomber" who enthralled fans at the Big D After the Levee Singers broke up, he formed a Jamboree in the '50s and Carnegie Hall in the country band, Steel Rail, and later sang TV and '90s, died at his East Dallas home Tuesday radio jingles to pay the rent. Just when it looked afternoon. He was 64. like his career was over, it took off again amid the

rockabilly revival of the mid-'80s: The New York He continued to sing after he was diagnosed with band had cut a new version of Mr. throat cancer in 2002. One of his last gigs was an Dawson's "Rockin' Bones," and record producers emotional performance at the Rockabilly Rave were suddenly calling him back into the studio. In festival in England in February. the '90s, he played twice on Late Night With

Conan O'Brien and performed at New York's "Word had gotten out about my situation, and I Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Reviewing the could see people crying even before I finished the Carnegie Hall show in 1994, The New York Times show - I wasn't prepared for that," he told The called him "superb … a guitar-toting answer to Dallas Morning News in May. Jerry Lee Lewis."

Fans and colleagues around the country had "In the one sense, I thought I'd be [more] rallied to help the singer pay his medical bills. In successful, but on the other hand, it's been June, more than a dozen bands played a concert amazing. It's been a wonderful ride," he said in in his honor at Dallas' Sons of Hermann Hall, and May. there were more benefit shows in Chicago and his childhood hometown of Waxahachie. In 1996, after 50-some years of bachelorhood, he

married Chris Davis, a former singer he'd first met Mr. Dawson never racked up a Top 40 single or a in the 1960s at the Levee Club. In recent years, gold album, but he was one of Dallas' first bona he had been semi-retired: He played the fide rock stars. As a lanky, burr-haired teenager in occasional rockabilly festival, but his only regular the late '50s, the singer - then known as Ronnie gig was a daily 10-mile jog around the M Streets D. - cut a series of swaggering, influential tunes and Lakewood.

41 there and sit around on the outside around the bar "Don't feel sorry for me, man," a typically upbeat and be listenin’. He’d be playin’ and drinkin’ and Mr. Dawson said in February, after doctors told everything and havin’ fun. We’d leave there and him the cancer had spread to his lungs and was come home, and then I’d look at the guitar and I’d now terminal. "Last year was the first time I was pick it up and try to play it. He used to get on me; ever in the hospital. Sixty-three years of quality life he called me ‘Bud, leave my guitar alone! Didn’t I … are you kidding? I'm celebrating." tell you to leave it alone? I’m gonna give you a good whoopin.’ But I was hardheaded. I’d keep Mr. Dawson is survived by his wife, Chris, and a on it ‘til I break the string I’d put it back in the half-brother, Louis Dawson. corner where he left it at. When he’d come back and look at the guitar, he’d say C’mere, Bud, I got     somethin’ for you.’ And he’d have one of them big switches, you know. Ohhh, he would wear me out.”

BLUES FROM NEW ORLEANS

on’t let the name fool you; Little is an under recognized giant of country blues. In a town filled with funk, R&B and jazz, King is a living link to the rough Delta style that is rare in Crescent City. The 65 year old King moved to New Orleans from McComb, Miss. at the age of seventeen, and has been a favorite at the Jazz and Heritage Festival ever since. He celebrated Little Freddie’s determination paid off, and he his twenty-fifth N.O. Jazz Fest appearance with a always playing small clubs in McComb, release of Swamp Boogie, (Orleans Records), Mississippi before he moved to New Orleans. his first record in over twenty years. Freddie Upon arriving in the Big Easy, he found steady recorded the first electric blues album in 1969, gigs in a variety of different taverns. “A lady titled Harmonica Williams and Little Freddie th called Miss Ida, she had a little bar out on King. He celebrated his 30 appearance at the Highway 11 (in Slidell). I was playin’ with N.O. Jazz Fest, with the release of Sing Sang Harmonica Williams, Big Joe Willis, Slim Sung, recorded live at the legendary Dream Harpo and Polka Dot Slim.” For Freddie, his Palace. King is a quiet gentleman, and in a recent new life was a welcome change from the one he interview sitting in the back of the Louisiana Music left behind. “Before, I had to plough mules, pick Factory, reminisced about his lifelong love affair cotton, harvest corn, and do all that, so it made it with the blues. a lot easier for me.” To subsidize his playing income, Freddie took a job with an aircraft “My dad used to play all the time, and I loved manufacturer, helping build airplanes and music,” Freddie remembers “I used to watch him rewiring short-wave radios. The dual existence play his guitar, and sit there with him when I was of musician and laborer resulted into workdays a small boy, about four or five. He’d play Muddy blending one into another. Waters; in fact, he used to play with Muddy Waters. He would play songs like “Cat Squall “A typical day, I’d play from ten a.m. to two in Blues” and “Catfish Blues”, and that song about Shrewesbury at the Horseshoe Lounge, and I high powered women got to ball up and go, King would come from there on the causeway to laughs. “He used to play what they call bottle- Franklin Avenue and Chartres - the Crockett bar. neckin’ blues.” Start there around three p.m. until about six or seven the next morning. Then I’d leave there and King’s father worked the weekend southern circuit go to work around all those electronics.” in the Delta, and often came to New Orleans He laughs knowingly. “Always had that jug, during Mardi Gras, or to work on sugar cane always have me a fifth of vodka or a half a gallon farms. The elder King was hesitant to let his son of Thunderbird. It’d keep me lined up, knock the pursue his musical inclinations, but Little Freddie shakes off of me.” was persistent. “I was too young to go on the road with him, but he would bring me out on the Any doubts of Freddie’s old-school credentials town when he was out there playin’. I would go out

42 vanish with a story about his shows at a club called The Bucket of Blood, a spoken poetry of Marffa's Muffins urban blues. “They got stabbed or shot all up every weekend, and I’d standing by the music (Don’t really understand Matt’s first submission box. So when things got heavy, I step behind the this month but here it is anyway – H). music box. I was always small, so I knew I was THE FIVE SECRETS OF A PERFECT safe there. If I started to run, I would have run RELATIONSHIP right into what was happenin’.” 1. It is important to find a woman who cooks, cleans and has a good job. Unfortunately Freddie’s talent for dodging trouble 2. It is important to find a woman who can make didn’t have any effect on landing a record deal. you laugh. He remained relegated to his contained club 3. It is important to find a woman who you can circuit, with the exception of an early seventies LP trust and who doesn't lie to you. on the Ahura Mazda label. Two substantial 4. It is important to find a woman who is good in exceptions to his routine provided memorable: a bed and who likes to be with you. short tour of Europe in 1976 with Bo Diddley and 5. It is very important that these four women do John Lee Hooker, and a community college tour not know each other. in 1981 where Freddie conducted workshops on the Blues. “I had to do the workshop for thirty (As always the 'Tales From The Woods' editorial minutes, then I’d play for thirty minutes.” board would like to point out that it does not Freddie explains. “I explained to them about the necessarily agree with the views expressed by its blues, that it’s really not explaining, it’s playin’ contributors. Anyway, on to Matt’s more usual what you feel. It’s what you’ve been through, and submission – H) the pressures which you have had put on you. With everything you’ve been through, that’s how you really play the blues with feeling.” Electric Six, The Ludes and Skull Disco @ Concorde 2 Brighton. Swamp Boogie received deserved critical praise in Europe and resulted in a 1996 tour of France. A warm summer’s evening a couple of months Freddie is a mysterious cult figure to most back, found me strolling down the promenade at European blues fans. Playing the Festival de Brighton towards the Concorde 2 to see one of Lille and the Nancy Jazz Pulsation Festival. the most hyped bands of the year to date, Electric Freddie’s travels have taken him and his band to Six. Paris, France (Dec 1999) for a two week performance at the Chesterfield Café. The It goes without saying that this gig was sold out Nancy Jazz Festival invited him back for their quite a while back on the strength of the two hit anniversary show in Oct (2000), plus a two week singles (Gaybar. Danger - High Voltage) and the tour of Luxemburg, Bouzonville, Saint-Die. amusing if somewhat risqué videos. I must say that I bought a ticket for those same reasons; after all, I only managed to get hold of the album He has performed at New York’s Terra Blues ‘Fire’ the day before. Not because it was hard to Club (Oct 01) in support of Sing Sang Sung CD, get hold of; on the contrary, it had been out for and recently returned from the Montreal about three weeks. No, it was just I enjoyed the International Jazz Festival and the Ottawa two singles and didn’t think that they could be Bluesfest held in July 02. After two gigs in beaten by anything else. Minneapolis, one at Whiskey Junction Blues Club, Freddie performed at Bop to the Blues The support acts were a surprise, not for any Festival in Lugano, Switzerland in August other reason other than there were none compliments of Tim Duffy, founder of Music mentioned either on the ticket or the website. I Makers Relief Foundation. Just finished the New caught the last three songs from Skull Disco set. Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the The three piece were playing a sort of punk French Quarter Festival 2003. He’s still the New rock/metal crossover and did it quite well. I’m not Orleans urban equivalent of a Fat Possum artist. sure if I liked them or not but I certainly didn’t have When it comes to Bluesmen who have lived the an aversion to them. They were all shaven life, there is no one in New Orleans like Little headed and wearing tight tops gave them a very Freddie King. One thing for sure, his fans Right Said Fred look about them. understand Freddie to be an American culture and plays the music he lives – THE BLUES. From the toilet of the venue I could hear another Wacko Wade band come on stage and, not knowing who they were (even if I did it wouldn’t have mattered), I     continued with my ablutions at a leisurely pace. By the time this band had got half way through the

43 first song I was convinced I was missing the theme to the movie Daredevil. With Amy Lee’s something big (don’t go there), they didn’t half distinct semi alto vocals and Paul McCoy’s (guest sound like The Coral; maybe a bit heavier I vocals from 12 Stones) gruffer but far more thought. Could it be The Coral? passionate voice this was always going to be a winner; even if it did sound like Tori Amos and Alas it wasn’t to be, The Coral weren’t playing in Linkin Park doing a duet. support to Electric Six no, it was The Ludes! Over the next 35 minutes I found myself really The rest of the album has few other tracks like struggling to keep still; this band made me want to that. Mostly they are just Amy showing off her dance! Their infectious sound was a mixture of impressive vocal talents. However, she may be Polka rhythms and a Ska/Reggae groove. able to hit the high notes but she doesn’t really Coupled with a Libertines-esque rawness, this give any passion to the songs. band really had me (and a fair bit of the rest of the audience) captivated. Sometimes, Dave the lead If you like notes to be held for a long time and you singer came across very Mick Jagger, what with like the sound of the female voice, then this is the his tambourine bashing. The drummer looked a album for you. Personally, I don’t care much for it. bit of a character as well; he sat there with his They remind me of All About Eve in some ways, I mouth wide open most of the time under think that it is the Wicca influences that do it. dreadlocks, wearing a pair of industrial ear defenders. The album has been produced very well and the musical is bloody good. It is of no The last song was called ‘She’s a tap’; this was doubt that they are talented, that is obvious from introduced by the lead singer as being about a listening to just a few tracks, but I think that the prostitute from Penge. A good number to end with talent needs some more direction. Could do which was a bit . better! For more info go to www.evanescence.com Enter Electric Six to the stage to rapturous applause. I can’t remember what they played first Up and coming gigs for the next month or so: but the whole set was similar to the Dome a month previous. Naked Pictures (of your mother), 18th Oct: Motorhead @ Hammersmith Apollo. Gaybar and Danger! High Voltage! were the best Lemmy and friends bring the noise, received tracks of the whole evening. Amusingly you bring ear plugs. some people had dressed up as some of the 23rd Oct: Proclaimers @ Shepherds Bush characters from the Gaybar video; there were two Empire. The bespectacled twins men dressed up as Abraham Lincoln, complete return. with very large top hats. I was pleased that I didn’t get behind them! 24th Oct: Athlete @ Shepherds Bush Empire. Deptford boys on the up. The lead singer copped a glass of water in the 25th Oct: As above. face at one point from the audience and was as pleased as punch, although it knocked him back a 25th Oct: Laika Dog @ Garage. Former foot or two in surprise, I think he was grateful for Terrorvision front man Tony Wright the cooling affect. We were all grateful to the has a new band. management for opening the side doors to the venue (facing the sea) to allow a nice breeze to 28th Oct: The Bellrays @ Mean Fiddler. Lisa enter. Kekeula and the crew return with a new album to promote; it’s going to be I would like to tell you about the end but I left at a good one. Shame I’m working and 23.10 to get a train home and the band were still can’t get the night off! playing to a full house; they had been playing for 29th Oct: Hot Hot Heat @ Astoria. With two about 55 minutes at that point. So, a pretty good cracking singles released this year, night was had and even better when I found out these Canadian boys are finally getting that the bar had Harvey’s Sussex real ale on at some credit. I tried to get the night off £2.40 a pint, which is ludicrously cheap but a most for this one! pleasing find, and it was at the right temperature! 4th Nov: Raveonettes @ Mean Fiddler. Touted Evanescence – Fallen Scandinavian group. 13th Nov: Distillers @ Astoria. I hadn’t heard of Coming like a bolt out of the blue from the States them before this summer, when I was earlier this year are Evanescence. Their much given a DVD of theirs at a gig. It’s not played song - Bring me to life – was taken from bad garage punk rock, however, they

44 must have something big behind them Royal Festival Hall to give DVDs away to all and sundry Saturday 18th October (£10/£20) outside gigs. Harlem Gospel Choir 16th Nov: Suicidal Tendencies @ Forum. Four Hammersmith Apollo band line up with Mike Muir’s hardcore Saturday 18th October (£23) thrashers headlining. Motorhead 20th Nov: The Coral @ Brixton Academy. Jazz Café Camden Town Scouse indie lot play a couple of nights Sunday 19th October (£15) in support of their new album; should Brian Augur and the Trinity be very good. Hammersmith Apollo 21st Nov: As above Wednesday 22nd October (£14) 22nd Nov: Black Keys @ Mean Fiddler. Hirsute The Darkness Southern stated blues merchants. Got Scala, Kings Cross my ticket! Got yours? Thursday 23rd October (£9) 23rd Nov: Mars Volta @ Astoria. Former At The The Webb Brothers Drive In members play tracks from Astoria, Charing Cross Road their debut album Delousing at the Thursday/Friday 23rd/24th October (£14) crematorium. Mogwai And finally… Shepherd’s Bush Empire rd A friend of mine is selling his digital camera Thursday 23 October (£17.50) (among other things) as unfortunately, he will be The Proclaimers staying in hospital for some time. We've left the Forum, Kentish Town last shot he took on the camera to demonstrate Friday 24th October (£14) the picture quality. Kanda Bongo Man Royal Festival Hall Friday/Saturday 24th/25th October (£10/£25) Abdullah Ibrahim Jazz Café Camden Town Friday/Saturday 24th/25th October (£17.50) Linda Lewis Union Chapel, Islington Friday/Saturday 24th/25th October (£12.50/£16.50) Kate Rusby Band Phil Cunningham

All Bain Forum, Kentish Town MM th Saturday 25 October (£15)     The Mission Lyric, Hammersmith Monday 27th October (£15) The Buzz Alternative Country Belles Mary Gauthier Oh Susanna Welcome to The Buzz The 'Tales From The Woods' Astoria, Charing Cross Road round up of gigs where you Tuesday 28th October (£16) really need to show your face. Camel

Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Brixton Academy th th Tuesday 28 October (£25) Saturday 18 October (£16.50) Steve Hackett Super Furry Animals Wembley Arena Borderline, Charing Cross Road th th Wednesday 29 October (£32.50) Saturday 18 October (£14) Ozzy Osbourne Eliza Carthy

45 Astoria, Charing Cross Road Wembley Arena Saturday 8th November (£20) Thursday 30th October (£29.75) Uriah Heep Mariah Carey Jazz Café Camden Town Hammersmith Apollo Sunday 9th to Wednesday 12th November (£18.50) Thursday 30th October (£20) Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry with the Mad Professor Tindersticks Royal Festival Hall Lyric, Hammersmith Monday 10th November (£20/£24.50) Thursday – Saturday Dexy’s Midnight Runners 30th October – 1st November (£9/£20) Scala, Kings Cross Julian Cope Band Monday 10th November (£12) Hammersmith Apollo Hugh Cornwall Friday 31st October (£26) Hammersmith Apollo Def Leppard Monday 10th November (£27.50) 100 Club, Oxford Street John Hiatt & Robert Cray Friday 31st October (£10) Union Chapel, Islington John Otway Band Tuesday 11th November (£15) Hammersmith Apollo Kelly Joe Phelps Saturday 1st November (£22.50) Royal Albert Hall The Mavericks Wednesday 12th November (£24.50) Jazz Café Camden Town Bill Wyman Monday 3rd to Wednesday 5th November (£25) Ocean, Hackney Bob James Thursday 13th November (£26) Brixton Academy Union Chapel, Islington th th th Thursday/Friday 13 /14 November (£16.50) Thursday 6 November (£23) Black Leather Motorcycle Club Pinetop Perkins & Royal Festival Hall Friday 14th November (£10/£20)

Esbjorn Svensson Trio Cabot Hall, Canary Wharf th Friday 7 November (£13.50) Wembley Arena Carleen Anderson Saturday 15th November (£30) Bob Dylan

Union Chapel, Islington Union Chapel, Islington Saturday 15th November (£25) Friday 7th November (£23) Tribute to Gram Parsons Koko Taylor & Robert Balfour Blues Estafette, Utrecht Saturday 15th November The Solitaires, Billy Lee Riley, Howard Tate, Barbican Little Freddie King, Ray Campi and more Friday 7th November (£TBA) Hammersmith Apollo th Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Sunday 16 November (£22.50/£27.50) EmmyLou Harris – Buddy Miller Mountain Boys Royal Festival Hall Laura Cantrell – Paul Burch Monday 17th November (£20/£25) Dianne Reeves – Jason Moran Trio Westcliff Hotel, Essex Friday 7th November (£10) Wembley Arena th th Mr Angry’s pre-Christmas Party Monday/Tuesday 17 /18 November (£27.50/£30) See page 21 for full details Meatloaf Jazz Café Camden Town Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank th th th Monday/Tuesday 17 /18 November (£17.50) Saturday 8 November (£12/£18) Robben Ford Bert Jansch

46 Borderline, Charing Cross Road Royal Albert Hall Tuesday 18th November (£13) Wed/Thursday 26th/27th November (£22.50/£30) American Songwriters Circle featuring Four Tops - Temptations Ray Wylie Hubbard, Larry John McNally, Jazz Café Camden Town Slaid Cleaves, Lynn Miles th Thursday 27 November (£17.50) Barbican John Hammond Tuesday 18th November (£10/£20) Lock 17 (formerly Dingwalls) Tommy Smith th Thursday 27 November (£17.50) Royal Festival Hall Wednesday 19th November (£10/£20) Royal Albert Hall David Sanborn & Soweto Kinch th th Friday/Saturday 28 /29 November (£24.50) Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Jools Holland Thursday 20th November (£15) Shepherd’s Bush Empire The Charlie Mingus Orchestra th Sunday 30 November (£17.50) Tennessee Club, Oakwood Echo and the Bunnymen Thursday 20th November (£TBA) King and Queen, Foley Street (Bill Haley’s Original) Comets th Friday 5 December (£0) Terry Lee and the Wild Ones 'Tales From The Woods' presents the Soulboy Dani West and the Southernaires and Little Jessup BIG 60 Birthday Bash Brixton Academy James Hunter Thursday - Saturday 20th-22nd November (£15) Electric Ballroom, Camden Town The Coral th Wednesday 10 December (£15) Royal Festival Hall The Buzzcocks Friday 21st November (£10/£20) Shepherd’s Bush Empire Blind Boys Of Alabama th Monday 15 December (£17.50) Rhythm Riot, Camber Sands John Cale Friday-Monday 21st – 24th November (£various) Birthday greetings go out this month to two of Pontins Holiday Centre, Camber, Sussex 'Tales From The Woods' contributors. On Friday Call Robin/Colette on 020 8566 5226 or 10th October, our finest expert on all things British, Jerry on 01737 370533 for more details Darren Vidler, will be celebrating passing his mid- Shepherd’s Bush Empire thirties. Two days later, the worlds most Saturday 22nd November (£13) knowledgeable man on rockabilly will be The Cooper Temple Clause celebrating his big 60 at a no expense spared bash in that gem of the Essex coast, Royal Festival Hall nd Shoeburyness. I refer of course to Tony ‘Waxo’ Saturday 22 November (£10/£20) Wilkinson. Happy birthday to you both on the 10th Courtney Pine with and 12th respectively. Carleen Anderson & David McAlmont Later in the month, on the 26th, Calum ‘Grunge’ Hammersmith Apollo th Monday 24th November (£35) Russell will be celebrating his 27 birthday. Bob Dylan Thanks for the card Calum (printed elsewhere in the mag). No doubt Calum up there in Lochinver, Brixton Academy bonny North West Scotland, will be sharing a th Tuesday 25 November (£35) drink with his mate Bobb Drummond, like Calum, Bob Dylan a massive Jerry Lee Lewis fan and naturally a 'Tales From The Woods' subscriber. Union Chapel, Islington th Tuesday 25 November (£17.50) st Eric Bibb The next gang meet up will be on Friday 31 October, at the Shakespeare, Holborn, Shepherd’s Bush Empire which is situated 100 metres from Holborn Tuesday/Wednesday 25th/26th November (£30) Tube Station along Kinsgway from 18:00 hrs. Blondie

Wembley Arena Folks, there has been disquiet voiced concerning Tuesday/Wednesday 25th/26th November (£TBA) the late departure for meals, so might I suggest – Dandy Warhols we depart for sustenance between 19:45 and 20:30 hours? Discontent has also reached my

47 ears, yet again, concerning the cost of meals. Acknowledgements Therefore, would it not be advisable to discuss amongst yourselves how much you wish to pay Editor – Keith Woods and what time you would like to eat whilst we are still in the pub? Hopefully by this means we can Page 3, The Buzz – Keith Woods avoid any misunderstanding. Hope to see as many of you as possible. Personal Tribute – Steve Howarth

'Tales From The Web' Soul Kitchen – John Soulboy Joliffe Mr Angry – John Howard Fatbellypeat’s hard work is waiting for you out in hyperspace. To take a look at the all-new 'Tales Meet Up/MOBOs – Nick Cobban From The Woods' website, the web address is; Jazz Junction – Dave Carroll www.tftw.freeuk.com Beginnings – Ralph Edwards

Myths – Neil Foster CD/Show Reviews – Brian Clark 3 Bs – John Broven Waxo’s Tit Bits – Tony Wilkinson October Offering– Lee Wilkinson Dull World – Tony Papard Down On The Farm – Ken Major Ronnie Dawson – Thor Christensen Little Freddie King – Wacko Wade

Keep your eyes peeled for further developments. Marffa’s Muffins – Matt Slade

Back issues of 'Tales From The Woods' (which I Website – FatBellyPeat like to think of as Collector’s Items) are available, although some issues have depleted rapidly over Where’s me dinner? – ‘H’ the past months… when they are gone, they are gone, never to be copied again. So if any of you loyal subscribers or compulsive collectors need     any back issues you need to be pretty quick off the mark. Back issues are sold at two for £1. If you wish to subscribe or advertise in Infant issues (1 to 6) are available in annual form the UK's fastest-growing in-house only at a near giveaway price of a mere £1.10. magazine, write to; Contact via the usual channels. ‘Tales from the Woods’ And finally, a polite reminder for all you Woodies 25 Queen Anne Avenue out there for our pre-Christmas party, promoted by Bromley our very own Mr Angry and featuring Darrel Kent Higham and the Enforcers at the Westcliff Hotel, BR2 0SA Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex on Friday 7th November.

We here at the editorial board have a limited number of tickets for sale. It promises to be a Telephone/Fax 020 8460 6941 great night so, come on folks, join all us Woodies at Westcliff. For tickets, ring or e-mail (contact Articles for publication can be e-mailed to details to the right). [email protected]

See you all next month Remember – you’re only young twice Keith Woods. Keith Woods

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